Intersection theorems with geometric consequences

In this paper we prove that ifℱ is a family ofk-subsets of ann-set, μ0, μ1, ..., μs are distinct residues modp (p is a prime) such thatk ≡ μ0 (modp) and forF ≠ F′ ≠ℱ we have |F ∩F′| ≡ μi (modp) for somei, 1 ≦i≦s, then |ℱ|≦(sn).As a consequence we show that ifRn is covered bym sets withm<(1+o(1)) (1.2)n then there is one set within which all the distances are realised.It is left open whether the same conclusion holds for compositep.