“SPLENDID SPORT”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 815, 8 November 1929, Page 7

“SPLENDID SPORT”

"BOBBY” JONES CLINGS TO AMATEUR STATUS AN ENGLISH TRIBUTE The refusal of R. T. (“Bobby”) Jones to accept £IO,OOO to appear in a film at Hollywod is another indication of the value the famous golfer places on his amateur status, says an English writer. As it is the second occasion on which he has adopted this admirable attitude, it only increases our respect and esteem for an athlete who possesses very many friends indeed in this country, and who has been honoured by being made an honorary life member of the Royal and Ancient Club.

In these days, when there is much that is suspicious in connection with the playing of games by adherents of a particular pastime, and when we see all egations

see aiiegauuua made right and left as to pseudo-ama- l tourism, such an action as that of the popular “Bobby” is refreshing indeed. Much as one may regret it, the whole problem of amateurism in certain sports is appar-| ently only to be| solved successfully bv the introduction

... Qy tne ihli-UUUCLIUII of “broken time.” That we are trending in that direction is undeniable. It will never be admitted by those who govern the games of Rugby football or hockey, but is it certain the principle will not be accepted in the future in connection with, say, athletics? I notice that Harold Abrahams, the 100 yards Olympic winner of 1924, has been attacked for statements he has made as to “blatant hypocrisy” in athletics. And he has been challenged as tc why, when he received invitations to compete at athletic meetings which “would be worth his while to do so,” he did not immediately report the offending promoters to the A.A.A. My sympathies are entirely with Abrahams. There are few active athletes who would do this. They mignt ignore, as many have done, such an invitation but they would leave it at that. There are very few athletes, during the last twenty-five years, at least, who have not —if they have been at all successful—received flattering invitations to compete at such and such a meeting. A DIFFICULT QUESTION I have one in my possession today. It reads as follOAVs:—“The committee of the above club has pleasure in inviting you to compete in a special 220 yards scratch race at its forthcoming sports. If you accept, the necessary hotel and other accommodation will be provided for you, and we hope you will spend a pleasant time in our midst.” Nothing is said about other expenses, but there is little doubt that these would have been allowed if application had been made for them. As it happened, owing to my work. I was not able to accept this particular invitation, but I once ran at an import- ! ant meeting in the Midlands, where, on asking for my hotel bill on departing, I was informed that it had been settled. I received no expenses otherwise, but I have often wondered if, by allowing myself to accept such “hospitality,” I was not violating amateur principles. It is a terribly difficult question. I know, but if something is not done by the A.A.A., the Lawn Tennis Association. and other sporting authorities, the question of broken time will have seriously to be considered. Rather this, however, than the hypocrisy which now undoubtedly exists.