REALM OF SPORT.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10306, 15 January 1927, Page 9

REALM OF SPORT.

OLYMPIC GAMES THEIR ORIc7n~AND THEIR PURPOSE. A DREAM. OF INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP. (By “Stride.”) Added interest in Poverty Bay is manifest in the 1928 Olympic Games to be held at Amsterdam, Holland, the reason being that this district has in its midst a candidate for the highest honor which any athlete can ever hope to attain on the field of sport. To be recommended as one whose performances are up-to Olympic standard is a great achievement, and in this respect Miss Nancye Eastwood can pride herself on being the first girl track runner in Australasia ever nominated for such high honors. How the Olympiad was revived, and the importance which is attached to the Festival by statesmen the world over, may be of interest to readers of my notes. The method of selection of candidates is also worthy of mention and may further enlighten the general sporting public of Gisborne.

An Historical Meeting. Where the Rue des Italiens joins the boulevard of the same name, near tlie Place de l’Opera, in .Paris, there his stood, for many years a ricketty old office building which has been the scene of historic events for more than half a century. In the early nineties a group of friends had climbed the rather shaky stairs to the second floor of the ancient house, at the invitation of the Baron Pierre de Couhertin. These men had come from all over the world. Great Britain was represented, as well as America, Central Europe and Asia. No one was quite sure why he had come, hut each had faith in his friend de Coubertin that something notable was about to transpire. The old French baron was awaiting them at the head of the stairs. His aristocratic face, surmounted by his snow-white hair, was alight with the inspiration of the purpose lie was about to transmit to his friends. Ho had thought a long while upon the work which he had outlined for them to do, and he felt that in the measure his plans succeeded by so much would the (bailees of future wars be lessened. For the Baron Pierre de Coubertin had dreamed a dream of international friendship through international play. He had said to himself that those who play together in a real spirit of sportsmanship would never •care to fight- against each other, whatever Governments and individuals may plan. He based his theory upon the success of those ancient Olympic Games wherein Greece had so long preserved her unity, despite the fact that her nationality was composed of many jealous and warlike States. When those Olympiads had at last been abolished, along with the spirit they kept alive, the Dark Ages had set in. Reviving the Olympic Games. The Baron de Coubertin was successful in convincing his colleagues that a revival of the ancient Olympic Games would do a great deal toward strengthening the friendships of nations the world over, and each representative left that little old building clothed in the inspiration that the Baron had given, and eager to carry the message hack to his own people. By the spring of 1896 that dream had become a reality. The first modern Olympic Games were held in the beautiful stadium at Athens, upon the ground where the first Greek athletes' had striven for the laurel wreaths. There were not many competitors in this first meet. America had only a half-dozen prominent track and field athletes, hut. these were sufficient to win the majority of points. Incidentally, the U.S.A. now charters a liner to take their aspirant's to the Olympic Games, so many and varied are the competitors. America displayed the greatest interest- in the Games, and Baion Pierre de Coubertin pleaded w ith Europe to display similar enthusiasm. Bv 1912, when the Olympiad was held in Stockholm, the magnitude of the world’s championships had approached somewhat its present size. I'he athletic results were perfectly* satisfactory to him, but the spirit uias not. He said at the conclusion of the Swedish meeting that lie was pleased with the progress in international athletic spirit in the Scandinavian countries and in the United. States, but he felt his own country. France, and Germany, England and virtually all of Europe, with the possible exception of that terntoiy which is now known as Czeclio-blo-vakia, were not living up to the spirit of the Olympics during those four yours between contests. *

Reduction of Crime Through Ath-

letic Contests. Even more significant was the Baron’s estimate of the reduction or crime through athletic competition. Over a period of ten years, De Coubertin found less than a tenth or one per cent, of dishonesty among representative athletes. Taking all countries into consideration who had atnletes participating at the Olympic Games, the Baron discovered that not one man in a thousand took an untail advantage of an opponent. He also became convinced that every man who had become acquainted with the spirit of sport through personal competition had been bettered. tins eminent French scholar also proved that health conditions and physical development were greatly benefited by athletics taken in any form.

The Spirit of Sportsmanship. The Baron Pierre de Couhertin is a very feeble old man now. Ir stride remembers rightly he has passed on the cloak of Olympic responsibility to 3 ? ounger shoulders. He has already alimpsed a glorious future foi the idea he conceived, for lie pictures a time when the Olympic spirit shall rule the world. . . The spirit of sportsmanship at tno Games is very high, and many famous athletes have sacrificed thenchance cf victory, by assisting an opponent during the course of a race. This was well-illustrated at the 1920 festival in, I think, the .1500 metres final. Albert Hill, the great English miler, during the course oi the race became “boxed-in” but an American shis hopeless position drew aside”and allowed Hill to get out, and go on to win a sensational race.

Location of ths Games. • Since the Olympic were revived in 1896 -Jxy.. Barpp : Cpubertin,. -thev have iincreased in importance. .and now.noTejvexrtliam da natio^a .actively.- .oqimpctedpiwrth * the : rp. ... Held ■ in the following countries i 1896 Greece (Athens). 1904. America land' (London), 1912 Sweden (Stock-

holm), 1920 Belgium (Antwerp), 1924 France (Paris). Germany was to have held the 1916 Games, hut were prevented from doing so on account of the great war.

Previous N.Z. Olympic Representatives.

No New Zealander has ever won an Olympic title, although we have been represented on a number of occasions. “Stride” has no authentic record of those who have represented the Dominion, but it is worthy of mention that on two occasions ladies were despatched by New Zealand to pit their- skill against the world’s best talent. Incidentally they were both swimmers, namely Miss Waldron (1920) and Miss Shand (1924). Both reached the finals hut were not placed. In 1912 at Stockholm, the then New Zealand champion swimmer, Malcolm Champion, of Auckland, was a member of the Australasian relay team who won the world’s championship. That' is the only time that a New Zealander has received an Olympic medallion for a first place, but the effort was a combined team one and not an- individual honor. It is only since the w'ar that the Dominion has been admitted to the Olympic Federation, as at previous Games we combined with Australia.

Our most famous Olympic athlete is, of course, Arthur Porritt, of Wanganui, the great sprinter who gained third place in the 100 metres iinal at the 1924 Games.

Others who have represented this Dominion arc: George Davidson (sprinter), Harry Wilson (hurdler), A. Herd (swimmer), Darcy Hadfield (sculler), Neville Hill (distance-run-ner), Charles Purdy (boxer), and, J believe, Harry Kerr (walker). 1 think there are others, but they don’t come readily to mind. All those mentioned were great athletes, hut, unfortunately, the facilities provided for them in comparison with competitors from other parts of the world, did not allow them to reveal their true form.

Selecting Olympic Representatives. The selection of athletes to represent anv nation at the Olympiad is a delicate" task. First and foremost the respective governing sports associations consider whether any athlete in his or her particular branch of sport is outstanding, and if he, or she is up to.the high standard demanded of all those who arc in search of world’s honors. If such a person is available ho or she is recommended to the Olympic Games Association as one worthy to ■represent the country or nation at the great athletic festival. . Tn due course these nominations are reviewed by this Association, who have the sole" right to select those whom they consider will do honor to their country on the athletic field, or whatever fine of sport they participate in. No person who has ever received any pecuniary gain from sport is allowed to take part at these Games. Even those who have been re-instated cannot he considered even although they may be world’s record holders. At present there are only three logical contenders for Olympic honors in this country. They are Randolph Rose (distance-runner), Stan Lay (javelin-thrower), and Miss Nancye Eastwood (sprinter). Others may, of course, come to light, before the New 1 Zealand candidates are finally reviewed, hut they will have to hustle as the Games are only eighteen months away, which means that Olympic “hopes” will be packing their kits in a year’s time. It is the ambition of every amateur athlete in New Zealand to" wear the black costume emblazoned with the silver fern and doubtless this will encourage several of the near chainpious to greater efforts in the hope that' the} mav be Olympic representatives.

America Leads. The honor of being the champion athletic nation of the world has been secured bv America at every Olympic Festival. ” At the last Games a small country like Finland proved her greatest rival, -and now Germany looms up big for 1928. If the British Empire'would combine perhaps then she would become a greater contender for the honors. The race for tlie premiership at the next Games should be highly interesting, hut it still looks as though the United States, with her great wealth of talent, and especially her perfect organisation, will again prevail.

A Fatal Error. New Zealand Olympic representatives have always been severely handicapped by the lack of time at thendisposal after arriving on the scene of operations. This is absolutely fatal to success. To achieve Olympic honors an athlete must be in perfect physical condition and this can only be”attained by arriving in the country where the festival is being held at least three months beforehand. Even this is not long enough for a person from this part of the globe, as was recently proved by Randolph Rose, who was only beginning to strike form when it was time to return heme. An athlete must become acclimatised, which to properly achieve would take at least a year, inis length of time would, of course,^ be unavailable to any going from New Zealand, but it- is surely possible to arrange for at least three months training in a strange country. A world’s championship was lost to New Zealand at the 1920 Games held at Antwerp solely because the person concerned merely arrived in Belgium and practically straight awav competed against the world s best talent. I. reier to George Davidson. the great Auckland sprinter. ,Ln his heat of the 200 metres Davidson heat Charley Paddock, the great American sprinter, hut in the final lack of condition told, and although the New Zealander was holding Ins own up to within 30 yards of the tape his lees failed him, with the result’that he collapsed but managed to finish, I believe, in fourth place. Paddock told Davidson that it was lucky for the others that he (Davidson)* was not in form, otherwise the officials would have been limiting for the New Zealand flag. After an event the national flag of the victor s-coun-try is flown, and the national anthem played.

Functions of N.Z. Olympic Assn. The New Zealand Olympic Association" has been thoroughly re-organ-ised and»is comprised of a verv live body of business men well versed in athletics. The president is the tit. Hon .1 G. -Cbatos, Prime Minister ot the Dominion, who is taking an active part in the Olympic movement. Tp ; the, Olympic Association Zealand-belongs the honor .of uorkin„. ■ ta- secure.. thaL-.oppoftuiuty’ tor our. ! Vp&rtsmeri /And; ispqrts womdrw and;_ to ifeSlv those fit. not only by; athletic ability; but also by being the possessors of high ideals, of sportsmanship, filial I be allowed to avail themselves of that opportunity.

_Outdoor and Indoor Pastimes & _

It is interesting to know that the Association’s activities are to be extended, and that it recognises that its aim is not merely to send our best athletic talent abroad, but to encourage the playing of all sports by as big a number of our people as possible. It'has a fine work before it, a work that should secure the hearty co-operation of all sports bodies. It ought also, if properly organised and supported, to mean as mucit to New Zealand internally as the International Committee means to international sport.

Miss Eastwood’s Olympic Nomination—What it Means.

Hundreds of people in Poverty Bay think Miss Eastwood has been selected to represent New Zealand at the next Olympic Games. This is not so. The N.Z. Amateur Athletic Association, who control amateur athletics in. this country, have paid her a great compliment by forwarding her name to the Olympic Association as one whose performances are up to the high standard desirable when one competes at an Olympiad. This recommendation was made following Miss Eastwood’s sensational recordbreaking sprint over 100 yards at Wellington, when the Gisborne flyer registered 11 3-ssec. About this time next year the Olympic Association will select their representatives to proceed to Amsterdam, which means that Miss Eastwood must remain undefeated in scratch races for at least another year. Apart from that, the Poverty Bay champion must also register fast times. That she is capable of this “Stride” has no doubt. Her most dangerous rivals appear to he Gisborne girls, namely Misses N. Wilson and R. McCarthy, of both ot whom I have a very high opinion. If these two girls, along with Miss Eastwood, could he sent to the New Zealand championships, Poverty Bay would have a great chance of filling the first three places in the 100yds classic.

To get hack to the main question, it means that Mi.ss Eastwood has a hard row to hoe, hut doubtless Coach Paltridge will capably control her track racing, not only this season, but will also see that she undergoes a suitable course of training during the winter. Olympic. Aspirants Compete at The Oval To-day. At to-day’s sports meeting the public of Poverty Bay will have an opportunity of "witnessing in action at the Oval three athletes who are contenders for Olympic honors. They are Miss Eastwood, Randolph Rose, and Fatty Lamb (Australia), three of the foremost track stars of the Southern Hemisphere. It is indeed unusual that such a galaxy of talent and athletic prowess should-appear at a sports meeting at the same time. Each represents a different branch of sport and yet all three are doubtless imbued with the one idea, that of representing their country at the next Olympic Games. I have already explained Miss Eastwood’s position, and will now deal with Randolph Rose. The Masterton farmer is one of the greatest distance runners in tlie world and if selected to go to Amsterdam would compete in the 1500 metres and probably the 3000 metres events. That Rose is capable of holding his own with athletes of other countries was proved when he defeated Lloyd Hahn, the present American mile champion, and registered the fastest run for 1760 yards which has ever been recorded on a grass track. His recent world’s tour gained for him added experience which should greatly assist him if he competes at the Olympic Games. Fat-tv Lamb is a certainty for the 1928 Olympiad and perhaps the only thing which may puzzle the selectors is whether he should ride in the track or road events. Equally at home in both, it is evident that the great Victorian will ho a serious rival to cyclists from the 43 nations. Lamb has a hard track in front of him, as the Continental wheelmen are high-class and at become very keen riders. When spectators to-day sec -Miss Eastwood dashing down the sprint track, Fatty Lamb whirling around the cycle path, and Randolph Rose striding over the mile course, it is well for them to remember that they are viewing in action three great athletes who ’ this time next year may lie making preparations for admission in search of Olympic honors, the main ideal of all track stars.

More Than a Dream. And thinking of that ancient office building that still stands on the Boulevard des Italians, I am sure that the dream of the good old l Baron Pierre dc Coubertin of a lasting international ponce through the liiedium of amateur athletics was perhaps something more than just a dream after all. _ t (To be Continued.) CRICKET DOMINION AND OVERSEAS. NOTES AND COMMENTS. (By "Willow.”) Jottings on Loaal Play. Len and Jack Thompson deserve the heartiest congratulations tor their brilliant displays on Sattiraay last. To add 195 runs to the total was wonderful enough, and then for each to cap off• with a- century was just the requisite finishing touch. Once the pair 'were thoroughly in goin(r order they played deliglittul cricket and kept the field on the run right to the end. The Thompson brothers’ partnership of 195 is the most prolific in local matches to date this season. Next to it comes the 185 for the fourth wicket by .1. Moody and B. Scholium for Celtic v. United, and then follows the unfinished opening partnership for 130 by J. W. Holmes and J. M. i’obertson for Qisborne Club against City.

Poverty Bay stuck to their hard task splendidly and it must have been a great satisfaction to them to dismiss the whole of the team—and they did it very quickly indeed once the Thompsons had left. Under the circumstances, it was hardly surprising that the Club should make such a Sad start to their strike.

G. j. Robertson showed fair form in knocking up 60 against Gisborne Club, but it was far from one of his best displays. Very early in his innings he tipped one or two- dangerously close to- the men in slips and>, shortly before being dismissed, he sided the simplest possible... catch above In'-, head, but; it too was drop*/ped. f •; j-u -

-huiisFdmtv-^ 'little luck in slips. He was dismissed rather unluckily, half-stopping a. ball which- would have bounced over thewicket- and turning it down to disturb the stumps.

j Tliodey unleashed sonic beautiful | drives in his not-out innings and i played really well, though he too lift- | ed one or two halls through slips.

Murray was very uncertain at the start of his innings but settled down to give a bright display. Slow bowling appeared to worry him and his attempts to deal with Forster were not particularly effective.

Wanted badly and immediately for Gisborne Club XI.: Some competent slip fields or some practice in that position by the members.

D l . S. Morris showed splendid form with (lie hall for Gisborne Club v. United. He kept a steady pace and an excellent length, while the hall which gave him most of his wickets was pitched just outside or on the off-stick and broke an inch or two to take tlie middle or leg pin. He appears to be rapidly regaining his old form.

G. Clifton, who made his initial appearance locally, for Gisborne Club, should he a decided acquisition to Poverty Bay cricket. He has plenty of pace with the hall and apparently turns slightly both ways—after a week or two of practice, lie will be properly limbered up. lie is also a forceful type of batsman.

In a great measure, Leltic owe their easy passage against School to good cricket Tactics. They drew a cordon of fieldsmen close up to the batsmen and the sene ■ hem down Ditched right on the wnkrt. ,t was a tost* of patience and the field won. “Mick” Gutlire -was especially prominent for his fieidoig at s-hy point—he pracHe illy ‘craped Hie hall off the hat oil occasions.

Bennett and Moody, lor Celtic, were in their usual good form with the hall and their records w ne really startling.

C. McCoy has signalled ins leturn to Old Bovs, after on absence of a few weeks, in no uncertain fashion. His 80 not out against I.laroor Board was a bright display, -hough tinged with good fortune. It was unfortunate for him, however, ti at mjwly stayed another over or two, so that he could have reached his hundred.

Lockett, too, was in good form and as usual this season added a substantial quota to the total oi -86. Yic. Caul ton and Joe Scholium also did not delay in the scoring, particularly in the ease of the former.

Phil Roots, of Harbor Board, still maintains consistent form and against Old Boys he was well ahead oi other howlers in his team. Four for 56 in an innings of 286 is a fine record.

A threc-noint win for Celtic over School in this round will put the former at the. head of the competition with twelve championship points, School a point away second, with probably Old Boys third three points further back.

i Celtic and School are certain of > places in the final four to fight out the championship, but the other two 'finalists are still rather uncertain.

City were well-served last Saturday by players of other seasons appearing lor the lirst time in this. Jack Thompson, Peter Dow and W.. Carter, all of. whom are at-present here on holiday, turned out, and did good work, especially the first-named.

United juniors appear to be entirely too good for any other teams in their grade and are winning with almost monotonous regularity. Their great strength lies in the splendid all-round work of Pope and'Jennings, and especially the bowling of this pair, and the line batting oi Holdsworth.

Plunket Shield Notes. Wellington and Auckland both won their Shield matches in the south, and the result of the fight between these two teams in Auckland on the 21st- inst. is fraught with the greatest interest. Both are level with two wins each, and if Wellington look the stronger side, the conditions at Eden Park have not always favored them. It is well known that Auckland play their best on their own ground, and more than one sure thing has come a cropper up there.

There is not the slightest doubt that Wellington this year have the strongest batting side in the history of the province, and it is hard to name any provincial side in the past which was stronger, and the howling is more than useful, and has served its purpose to date.

No doubt the New Zealand selectors have made up their minds as regard the ' nucleus of the side for England, but the final Shield game in Auckland will have a strong hearing on the remaining places in the touring team.

Auckland are to be congratulated on their very fine uphill victory over Otago. Alcott and Dacre put on ID7 together, and Dacre in getting his 107 scored at the rate of about a run a minute. Mills and Cooper enhanced their reputations as coming batsmen. Wellington are relying on the same team for the match against Auckland as that which defeated Canterbury and Otago. There certainly appears little wrong with it. K. James, the young Wellington ’keeper, can be classed as one ot the outstanding players of the season. He has been a participator in three of the record stands for various w.ckets in .Shield matches. Tor the eighth wicket, with Badcock rs j\ partner, against Canterbury', 154 runs were added. (Previous record: 130 h. Brook-Smith and Cummings for Auckland v. Canterbury in the 1814-15 season.) Agoinst Otago, for the last wicket with W. S. Br.ce, James helped* to add 13S. (Previous record: 105 by-Cherry and Torrance for Otago v. Canterbury last season.) Prior to this, in 1923-24, James and Boi nau put on 115 for the et against Canterbury—record figures again. Members of the Wellington side in Christchurch are unanimous in their opinion that Badcock’s 155 in the recent Shield match was one of the very finest innings they had ever .seen. A group of old players present also were full of praise, and voted it one of the best they had seen anywhere during the past- 30 years. Christchurch* papers accorded the coach a great mead of praise for his display.