THE STADIUM AT AMSTERDAM

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 363, 25 May 1928, Page 10

THE STADIUM AT AMSTERDAM

Favourable English Impressions of Lay-Out

THE Dutch authorities have done admirably in preparing the new stadium for the Olympic Games. The athletes of nations in the Northern Hemisphei’e are anticipating the Games with perhaps keener zest than Australians and New Zealanders, owing to closer proximity to one another, and the scene of the contests. Representatives from different counti’ies have visited Amsterdam to get ideas of the Stadium, the accommodation for their teams, and other information needed.

A N “Athletic News” writer recently provided the following impressions:— Both the American representative, Mr. G. T. Kirby, chairman of the U.S.A. Olympic Games Committee, and Mr. Evan Hunter, secretary of the British Olympic Association, who have been on a flying visit to Amsterdam together, are satisfied with the way in which events are shaping for the great Olympiad which opens in the Dutch capital on July 28. The stadium, where between 40 and 50 nations will contend for athletic supremacy, is practicaly completed, and those who have seen it are impressed, although in point o€ size it is not nearly so large as the stadiums which have housed previous Oympiads. What, however, the Amsterdam Stadium lacks in size, is made up for in attractiveness and seating accommodation. Home for Sport It is to be a permanent home for the sport of Dutch people, taking the place of the stadium soon to be demolished. The new cinder track is 400 metres round, and a banked cycling track encircles it. Adjoining the stadium are two halls in which the boxing and fencing contests will be staged, and the swimming bath, now in course of construction, will be within 200 yards of the stadium. Only a quarter of a

SCOTLAND’S ANTAGONISM This is how C. W. Packford, of “Sporting Life” (London) sums up the attitude of Rugby unions at Home to the overseas Dominions: “The Rugby Union, of England, is the best friend the Colonies or Dominions possess; the position of Wales appears neutral; Scotland is, for some peculiar reason, violently antagonistic to our overseas brothers; and Ireland gives one the impression of supporting Scotland in whatever attitude it may adopt. And the attitude of Scotland toward New Zealand alone has been anything but pleasurable to Rugby men in general.”

mile away there will be an athleu training ground for the use of Oympic competitors.

If neccesary, six representatives csti be entered by each nation for each event. I have reason to believe that the A.A.A. have provisionally invited just over 50 athletes to be prepared to represent their country, and that the total strength of Great Britain's competitors in the Games generaly will approach 300-including athletes, boxers, fencers, gymnasts, swimmers, etc. Arrangements for Visitors It is proposed that the English competitors—except in certain special cases—shall be transported from England four days before their particular event is due. The marathon test will be over * flat course of very good roads, the date of the race being Thursday, August 2. Lloyd’s Hotel, where the British team of male representatives will be accommodated, along with the Soul. African and New Zealand teams, w:leave nothing to be desired. Tr.e A.A.A. team manager has already sa - isfied himself on that point. The hotel is 20 minutes’ run from the stadium, and adequate transputarrangements have been made. It is expected that 23 British will contest the fencing and swimming events. They will make J® »* headquarters the American Hotel, the centre of Amsterdam.

SUCH BOREDOM? i When Paulino got to Paris be plained what a wonderful fight made against Godfrey in Los 1 and how the referee had robbed 1 the decision. Charley Padd i sprinter, saw* the fight. "It was very sad.” said Charleycried all through it." , Which recalls the comment lanf yYork Broadwayite on the Heeney tight at the Garden. enjoy it. I simply “ u * t e if t ),e bov It would have been better H ing officials had muffled turned out the lights.