International Sport and Sportsmanship

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 57, 30 May 1927, Page 6

International Sport and Sportsmanship

THE OLYMPIC GARBS MINISTER TAKEN TO T*k Mr. P. H. Rundle, chairman of ,1 New Zealand Olympic Council as follows: My attention has been drawn o, marks made by the Rev W t *** Marsh, M.A., at St. Paul’s' Devonport, recently, to a large coiW: of young people. During the course of his remarks tv reverend gentleman is reported to W referred to the spirit of sportsman - *!!'' prevailing at the Olympic GamesT*l making the statement that it was tSonS? advisable in many quarters to stop ik i Games owing to the unsportsmanlike duct of those who participated: that tW ' was very little to expect from good lowship in the great Olympic Games, generally, giving the impression that Games had resulted in displavs of lr' sportsmanlike conduct, and bred ilbir rather than goodwill amongst the natior competing thereat. As the statements made are so cotrary to the actual position, I feel it A duty to correct the Rev. Lawson Mar*; and, at the same time, place before readers some evidence of the value the" Games are toward a better amongst the Nations. The objects of the International Ohr pic Committee, apart from international tournaments—in which not! but the champions in each country redisplay their prowess—are also towards influencing the the physical education of the youth those countries where it is still neglected and to instil into the minds of all lover* of amateur sport the spirit of fair plav loyalty, and chivalry, and at the sartime exercise that discipline and ak, respect fer authority which is essentia, to true sportsmanship.

FIFTY COUNTRIES AFFILIATED There is no doubt that with the spreading of the enthusiasm for the Games in the countries of the world, the healthy will become the spirit permeating spor in such countries. To-day, there are over 50 countries affiliated to the International Olympic Committee and ea<> one of those countries is learning more and more each day of the meaning d the words “sportsmanship,” and “playii* ’ the game.” The responsibility resting on tit j shoulders of the International Olymp.: j Committee is naturally a large one, but this is fully recognised by its members and they do not shrink from acceptir.? that responsibility, determined as tbtT are that the athletes taking part shsi: accept the principles of sportsmanship or not take part at all. In 190 S, incidents o! a regrettable nature occurred. In l&k with the exception of a very minor ino dent, some 3,000 athletes representing 4! different nations, competed in every klitf of race and competition at Paris without the slightest sign or suspicion of bad feeling or bad sportsmanship, from star, to finish. This, in itself, is a sure indication of the progress the movement is making in every country of the world. I desire to quote from a speech made by the Duke of Sutherland in London on November 5, 1926, wherein he stated—“l am speaking from practical knowledge when I say that nothing tightens international bonds and heals international wounds as quickly and effectively as contact in sport. Nations which seemed, during war years, sundered for ever from friendly contact with each other, and whose Governments even to-day are in some cases not altogether in harmonious relations, are meeting in sport” Then are, fortunately, few people to-day who believe the disproved and antiquated doctrine that international sport by iu nature is, and must be, productive of ilifeeling. BRITISH APPLAUD GERMANS In support of the statement made by the Duke of Sutherland, we have the spectacle of five German victories at the Amateur Athletic Association’s championships held last autumn at London, where the great crowd of 30,000 British met and women, although disappointed a: their own favourites’ failures, warmly appplauded every Germa i victory. Not only did the British public extend a sure welcome to German athletes, but they aat the German, Bocher, shaking hands in sporting friendship with Baraton, hit victorious French rival. The Olympic movement has the wholehearted support of the leading men u! Great Britain, with the King as patron, the Prince of Wales and Prince Henry as vice-patrons, and it is noteworthy tb? the Prince of Wales and Prince Henry deemed it of sufficient importance to pay a special visit to Paris in 1924 to witness the Olympic Games. In all countries of the world the movement has the backing of the leading of each country and these facts must be taken as definite evidence of the value/-, the Olympic movement as a factor in international friendship. The success of the modem OlympK movement, not only in Great Britain, out in other European countries, is larg*? due to the tireless efforts of the late Kev R. L. De Courcy Laffan, who representM Great Britain on the International Olympic Committee from 1894 up to the tins* of his death last year. This emuwnsportsman, whose reputation is worldwide, felt that he had a special call on earth: to quote his own words—-To preach the Gospel of a perfect development of a new humanity, spreading all over the world of that ip-*-of sport which is the spirit of the trae#* chivalry, and the drawing together of w nations on the earth in the bonds of and mutual amity”—and he had the m® conviction that the Olympic movem*nwould achieve this object quicker tw any other means. I have not the Rev. Lawson Marses address, but should that gentleman <*; sire me to furnish any further prooh l shall be happy to do this if he will communicate - with me .