OLYMPIC GAMES

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10309, 19 January 1927, Page 5

OLYMPIC GAMES

CHAIRMAN OF N.Z. ASSN APPEALS FOR FUNDS WHY THE MONEY IS NEEDED js’.Z. REPRESENTATIVES MUST BE THOROUGHLY TRAINED “Increased public interest and support is the real need of the Olympic Games Association of New/ Zealand if the Dominion is to be represented to advantage at the 1928 Olympiad” said Mr P. N. Rundle, chairman ef tiie New Zealand Olympic Games Association in conversation with a Times reporter yesterday. Mr Rundle_j who arrived in Gisborne yesterday, is making a business trip throughout the North Island, but is always ready between times to do all he can to foster in[cff.st in athletics. “Following on the example set by the English Olympia Games •Association”, said -Mr Rundle, “the Newj Zealand Association has' been completely re-organised and to foster interest among the public, members are bring enrolled at a minimum subscription of os. The Hon. J. G, Coates, Prime Minister, has been elected president and is quite enthusiastic on the subject, claiming that j„ the building of a strong virile nation. amateur athletics and the study of physical culture are essential factiirs.

“With a ‘live-wire’ Council, a cam-, paign for funds for the next Olympiad has now been commenced and should the public enter into the spirit of the vaioment, then it is hoped that a fully -prepared team of athletes worthy of. New Zealand will represent the country at Amsterdam next year. At the present time the Association are several thousand pounds short of the jiei essary funds and at least another f 11,000 will be required. ' “The need for this apparently huge sum can be seen when it is realised that apart from the expense of sending the actual athletes Home, there arc all the attendants, and the expenses of board and lodgings on the Continent, for at least one month prior to the meeting, to be met. “The value of adequate organisation and training was realised by the (finish Association at the last Olympiad” said Mr Rundle. “That year the English team with their attendants were properly housed in - a French village for a month prior to .the meeting. They were put under hard training and received only specially prepared foods. The result was that the Englishmen proved wo-rthy and carried off a goodly 'share of the laurels. Since the reorganisation of the English Association in 1924 a strong body, sponsored by the King and a influential Council has collected over £27,000. They are now firmly established and are making elaborate preparations for sending a team over tile Channel early in the New Year. On a smaller. scale a similar prosperous condition of affairs should prevail in New Zealand.” ••This Dominion possesses some particularly fine athletes in all branches” said Mr Itundle. “Our champion javelin thrower has come within a few feet of the world’s record while our swimmers are making remarkable progress. There is no doubt that we could get together a team that would prove worthy antagonists to- athlete- from any part of the world.

“Yes, there is no doubt that Miss Ea -t wood should receive favorable consideration when the time comes to select a team for the next Olympia” said Mr Rundle in response to a <|iie-tion. “If the money is forthcoming and it is possible to give her a month’s training at Amsterdam accustoming her to local conditions the results should prove her to rank high in the world’s lady athletes. “We have not reached any decision yet as to who will be sent away or how many. That will depend en■Analy on the state of our finances. W' li has been said by some that too much time is given to sport” concluded Mr Rund’e. “Such an opinion is happily held by only a small majority. Tt is impossible to give, too much attention to amateur athletics, and eminent men are agreed that the very health and prosperity of the nation is dependent on an extensive study of athletics and physical culture. Every effort should be made to proini te the playing of our national game- and general efficiency in athletics and sport. Nothing tends more to develop those traits in British character l>y which we set great store, and nothing more strengthens ha hits of brisk alert vigor alike in work and play.”