The Olympic Games and the Duke of Westminster's Appeal

32 THE OLYMPIC GAMES. Athlete;i, who sho.11 receive special training and advice. 7. To make a. grant for administrative e:>..1>enses in carrying out the above. In addition to the above as part of the Amateur Athletic Association scheme already approved there would be :- (a) Olympic Novice Trials (50 events in the two years). · · (b) The holding of a. triple international contest. NATIONAL CYCLISTS' UNION. The following is the suggested scheme of prep(lra.– tion for the National Cyclists' Union :– !.-CENTRES. The division of the country into districts with honorary Olympic Ga.mes represent at ives appointed for ea.eh district. 2.-TuAINING, Honorary Advisory Training Committee to super- vise training arrangements. Professional trainers to be appointed in Lo11:dou, Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle, Bristol. and other towns. A special trainer (with assist– ance) to be appointed f~r r<?o.d racers. These trainers to work under the dll'ect1on of the Honorary Training Committee. 3 .--STANDARD MEDALS, British Olympic Meda.ls to be offered to o.ll riders who a.Qcomplish certain standards o.t or near Olympic distances subject to the following condi– tions :- (a) That the British Olympic Meda.ls a.re for events that would form pa.rt of the programme at Berlin in 1916 ; (b) That the standards a.re so a.pproximn.tely near record as to make them sought after by those who will be suitable representatives at Berlin ; (e) That in all ca.<Jes the conditions of the races should approximate as nearly as possible to those which will be in force at Berlin, such as cement track, &c. · 4.-REGISTRA.TION. That after accomplishing a standard ride the rider be placed under the guidance of the Honorary Advis.ory Committee, who will advise as to future work under the direct supervision of professional trainers, who will be pa.id by arrangement. 5.-SOBATOH RAOES. before the entries close. One month before the Berlin Ga.mes to be devoted to strict training in England and Berlin. 9.- ROAD TRIAL, That a. trial road event (240 kilometres) be run ea.eh year under the auspices of the National Cyclists' Union. 10.-Co-OPERATION OF ScOTLA.'ID AND I RELAND, Tho.t the National Cyclists' Union should co-operate with the Scottish Cyclists' Union and the Irish Cyclists' Association. AMATEUR FENCING ASSOCIATION. 1. The Amateur Fencing Association, being. a. societ y of encouragement, os :Vell as a. ~overrung body, is of opinion tho.t no sp!3c_1~l s~hem!l is. wa.~ted to supplement its ordinary o.ct1v1t1es m tlus direction, but every effort will be made to discover and encourage fresh fencing to.lent. 2. For the so.me reo.<Jon no special scheme is wanted for the preparat ion and training of fr.esh fencing ta.lent o.s distinguished from other fencmg talent ; but when the do.te of the Games approaches, the foll~wing general scheme should be put in hand with a view to providing the best possible represen– tat ion:- (a) It is essential tho.t for one month before the Games take place the representatives finally selected shonld be provided with professional instructors ; one for each·of the three weapons, foil, epee, and sabre. These instructors should be obtained from the Con– tinent. Accommodation for these instructors to ea~ v on their work would have to be secured in the London F encing Schools or Clubs. If any of the fencing at Berlin takes pl~ce out-of– doors on a gravel " t errain" (os the · ·.,l":;:"A. strongly urges should be the case with the epee at ~ny r.a.te) a. suitable pract ice ground should be provided m a. central situat ion in London. (b) It is advisable that the above scheme should commence two months before the Ga.mes, not one ; in which case it would, of course, be applied to a\\ " possible " and " probable " representatives until the final selection is ma.de, after which it would apply solely to the a.ctuol representatives. (c) It is desirable, should funds permit, that the above scheme should commence three months before the Ga.mes, not two. Al'\iATEUR SWIMMING ASSOCIATION. That National Cyclists' Union centres be urged to organize independently or through approved __clubs aoratoh races, at Olympic distances both– on road and path for likely competitors, and that financial 898ietance be given for prizes. 1. The institution of Swimming Scholarships so as to assist the more promising boys and girls to continue their swimmin" tra.inin after lea.vin scnool. 2. Arrangements whereby the services of amateurs of experience may be enlisted to advise and instruct in special strokes. Also to arrange for . exp!3rt amateurs to give exhibitions at school swimmmg entertainments. 6.-NATIONAL TmALS. That each year the best riders compete together in National Olympic Trials. This meeting to be considered a Championship Meeting and that the cyclists of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales be invited to compete, and that one event at least shall be open to tile whole world ; such moating to be guaranteed against loBB up to a limited amount. · 7,-FOBEIGN RAOB8. That 110\ected riders be sent abroad to compete in the World's Championships and also in approved raoea. 8.-FINAL TaAnmiG, l'rior to the Olympic Games of Berlin the nomi– nated repreiientat1ves compete in National Olympic Tria)a, arra~ements to be made for strict training before the trials "1ld the trials to be in ample time 3. The appointment of professional instructors skilled in the various swimming strokes. 4. The encouragement of High and Fancy Diving. 5. Time tests a.re to be arranged in ea.eh of the five districts of the Association. A schedule of times in three grades has been fixed, and candidates who succeed in these tests a.re to receive the Gold, Silver, or Bronze badges of the Association. The Management Committee appointed to cont;ol the working of the scheme have got out the followmg estimate of the amounts that will be required for the first year's working :- 1. Scholarships . . . . . . . . . . £100 2. Expenses of expert amateurs for exhibitions at School Galas 100