The Fourth Olympiad London 1908 (extracts)

80 on March I 5, 1909. Other races of the same kind are being decided a. these pages go to press. All three of the runners just mentioned were beaten by t. Ives, a little French waiter, who did 2 hrs. 40 min. 50 sees., on April 3 ; and as they had before that time become professionals, I will state here the reasons why Longboat was accepted in the Olympic Games of 1908 as an amateur competitor. Enquiries as to the eligibility of Longboat began as soon as it was realised that his previous performances entitled him to representation in the Canadian team; and these enquiries did not come from one source alone. At the meeting of the Canadian Central Olympic ommittee, held at Ottawa on pril 21, 1908, the following resolution was adopted :- " That the Board of Governors of the Canadian Amateur Athletic Union be requested to formally certify to this ommittee the amateur status of T'hornas Longboat, and his complete eligibility to compete in the Olympic Races in England under all the regulations and qualifications governing that contest, copies of same to be forwarded." In reply to this resolution a letter was received by Mr. F. L. C. Pereira, Hon. ecretary of the Canadian Central Olympic Committee, signed by Mr. William tark, President, and l\Ir. H. H. Crow, Secretary– Treasurer of the Canadian Amateur Athletic Union, as follows :- " I beg to inform you that Longboat is registered as an amateur with the .A.A. U. (No. 1488), and that he is an athlete of good standing, not only according to the amateur definition of the .A. . . but under the regulations and qualifications laid down by the British Olympic ommittee to govern entries of amateur athletes. Trusting that this assurance will be satisfactory to you, on behalf of the Canadian Amateur Athletic Union, we beg to remain, &c...." This letter is dated from Toronto on April 29, 1908. On May 4 olonel J. Hanbury-Williams, Chairman of the anadian Central Olympic ommittee, wrote from Ottawa a follows to the hair– man of the British Olympic ouncil in London, pointing out that the anadian Amateur Athletic Union controlled the Irish- anadian Amateur Athletic lub, of which Longboat is a member. " ou will ob erve that the ssociation deem Longboat to be eligible in every particular to participate in the "ames as an amateur. The .A.A.U. is one of two great bodies which control all sport in the Dominion, and has a member– ship of some 750 to 800 club·, and its Board of Governors is composed of men of high standing in athletics. One hears a great deal in conversation, and one reads a great de 1 in the Press, but we have to be guided by lubs of good standing, and the deci. ion seems clear. ' Aft r this correspondence it was evidently impo:ssible for the British