The Olympic Games and the Duke of Westminster's Appeal

24 THE OLYMPIC GAMES. of the fund to enable us to. make a creditable showing at Berlin. The Amateur Rowing Asso– ciation alone has officially declined any par– ticipation in the movement or in the fund ; but rowing is, perhaps, the one sport in this country in which training and organization are carried nearest to perfection, and the Association itself has no need of any assistance. It is to be noticed, also, that some rowing men (like Mr. Theodore Cook) are among the warmest advocates of the scheme. For the rest, it is not unjust to say that expert opinion and the sentiment of all those who have been at all in touch with the pro– gress of events, is unanimous on one side, while criticism is based chiefly on a dislike of the Olympic Ga.mes at all, growing out of a conservative, if honourable, devotion to the old careless tradi– tions of British Sport which served us so well when we were the only sport-loving people. THE SPECIAL CmonTTEE's STATEMENT. In behalf of the Special Committee Mr. J. E . K. Studd contributed to the discussion a general survey of the situation, which dealt with the various points which had been raised in criticism of the appeal for funds. His letter, published on Septem– ber 5, was as follows :- if such a course were deemed advisable, which we do not admit. We should be "swapping horses while crossing the stream." All that is possible is to support, encourage, and inspire existing govern– ing bodies of sports to do their utmost, and then to co-ordinate the result of their efforts into a national representation. The question of amateur and professional status of who.t can or cannot be done will o.nd must rest with the governing bodies themselves, o.nd not with the Special Conuuittee The o.ppeo.l for o.nd granting of funds does not affect the matter. Change in o.ny amateur definition could only be induced by the pressure of public opinion on the governing bodies of the sports concerned. The Special Committee would welcome o.ny definition of o.n amateur which would receive the approval of all nations competing in the Olympic Go.mes. But preparations cannot be delayed till this ideo.l definition is framed. It has been suggested that sport is not democratic o.nd that the fw1d o.sked for is to encourage snobbery. It is ho.rd to reconcile this statement with fo.cts :– (a) Tho.t of the nine A.A.A. Championships retained by this country seven were won by repre– sentatives of the people who were not university men. (b) Tho.t the Amateur Rowing Association, whose definition of o.t1 amateur is objected to, ha.s officio.Uy declined to be identified with the fund. It is, of course, those who have least money to On behalf of the Special Committee for the Olympic spend on sport who will derive most help from Go.mes, Berlin, 1916, may I say o. few words with the fund. One o.im of the fund is to give the "mo.n regard to (1) the question a.t issue; (2) the pro- in the street" the benefit of the expert training cedure adopted; and (3) the expense involved ? and advice which hitherto have been beyond his (1) The first and vitllol question is, Is Great Britain reach. to be represented at Berlin or not? ·whatever (3) THE EXPENSE.-The dissatisfaction expressed opinion one may personally hold of the vo.lue or o.t the Stockholm arrangements o.nd results was evil of modem Olympic Go.mes, other nations-our so widespread ,that negotiations were entered into competitors in the world's business-have adopted with the British Olympic Council for the formation them, a.nd are displaying them to the world as a S · I c · Th" c · test ·of national efficiency. It is too late to find of a pecm oIIlffilttee. is omrruttee was in- fault with Olympic Ga.mes and conditions. They augurated in March lo.st. It was appointed to r..ceive and administer a fund to be raised by public appeal. have been imJilosed on us, and we must a.et accord- The Committee made o. preliminary survey of the ingly. Were it possible to start de novo much tho.t · op~nents to the appeal have urged would have great situat ion by asking eo.ch sports governing body weight. But now we are not in the fortunate posi- tol}lubm.it for consideration an "idea.I scheme" tion of being able to choose our path. Had the British to~ 1 ensure the best possible representation o.t Berlin cause been adequately represented at Stockholm of its own sport. The Committee found :- the nation might conceivably have withdrawn -. (a) Tho.t wit~ ~he exception of rowing an_d from future contests, but now such a. course is not toot:tiall no assocmt1on possessed f_unds for Olympic open to UB, affairs, th~U:Sh each ~vas offic.10.lly r:eprese~~ It was not so much the lack of success in the on J_he Br1t1Bh Olympic Council. This pos1t1on rellp(ICtive even~ made Stockholm a. "-national---:wasilwell- ~;'pressed:-by- th_e- hon. treasurer ?f the ------:----,dillliiiter'' as e too evident lack of careful and A.A.A. :- The pomt I wish to make clear 1s that organized effort. It was this that 80 unfavourably the A.!1,-A. have no funds for the purpose of ::: im~ the world in general, and this country Olympic qames, and I as hon. treasur_er have in particular. . The appeal for funds is made in n? a'!-th~~1ty to expend our funds m that Older that every poB111'ble care may be taken to direction. avoid a aimilar misfortune happening at Berlin ; (b) That there existed no organization for ascer- al80 to prevent a.ny justification for the excuse taining result.a a.nd developing athletics as a whole that Great Britain has the men but cannot equip with a view to achieving the best results. them IO that they Bhall do her and themselves justice. ( o) That tho~h in cricket and rowing great co.re 'l'hme •who for any cause do not recognize such was taken to tram boys and men so that they should natiGaal ·obliaation will not contribute and will acquire correct style o.nd methods, a.nd so make the OOGtinue, if they think well, to oppose the effort. best use of their powers, no such attentiqn was The appeal has b- made, a.nd continues to be given to athletics and other branches of sport. IDllde. to thme who are convinced that Great Britain As a consequence boys in public and other soliools mun be repremented at Berlin and represented by a.nd lads in busineM houses and elsewhere were i. be.t men. acquiring styles that were not good, developing (2) Plloom>uu:.~The next question is what to muscles that were use_less, an~ often injuring do•• ·how to do 1t. Here again it is not poBllible themselves for le.ck of skilled advice. to have • free hand. Time does not pennit a (d) That the " ideal schemes " submitted to IIIOClllltlUOtioo ,of ·our athletic organizations, even them ca.lled for a sum of ovor £39,000, ape.rt from