WOMEN AND SPORT

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 112, 17 November 1928, Page 13

WOMEN AND SPORT

LESSONS' OF OLYMPIC GAMES A very interesting timo was spent at tho Pioneer Club monthly luncheon party yesterday, when Mr. H. Amos was the guest of honour, ana gave a partieu- j larly informative account of his visit abroad, and of the experiences at tho j Olympic Games.. Mr. Amos mentioned that they had attended five great athletic functions, and each had proved extremely interesting. The-result would' be the formation of a world-wide Sports' Federation, which would make for better sport and a closer understanding betweon the nations of the various ideas of sport, which at present, aro quite different in some essential directions. The scene at tho opening of the Olympic Games was most, impressive. It was wonderfully-arranged, each nation had its place, and. the: representatives walked together and wore their distinguishing badges. A splendid band, gave the time, and' a choir of 1000 voices sang odes of welconio and other ; music; A great . Grecian column", in classic stylo was topped with a brazier of fire,'which burned all tho time the sports were on,, as.in tho ancient days of Greece. . Then a number of pigeons were released and circled overhead, also an ancient custom, making a most impressivo and memorable sight. Touching on tho difficult question of women in athletics, Mr. Amos referred to the special occasions ..on which tho New Zealand girls competed, giving much credit to Miss Wilson . for her performances, and speaking of the difficulties which attended tho swimming races. He said ho folt that the shorter races were not only possible for, girls to givo a good account of themselves in, but would do no harm, and tho same could bo said of the. high jumping; tho girls had mado records of which no men need bo ashamed if they had accomplished the same themselves. But the longer races were, in ■ his opinion, too much, and strained endurance beyond what was wise for anyone. A medical examination should bo made before girls entered for any strenuous races, and they should pick and ehooso the events for which they entered, or irreparable harm might be. done. Mr. Amos spoke plainly about the costuming and mixed teams. He was suro that the girls who wore gymnasium costumes looked far better, and wexe better regarded than those who wore only jerseys and shorts like the men. The "gym" costumes were smart, workmanlike, and becoming, and wero well .liked. Mr. Amos said that after tho one experience ho would not recommend tho sending of a mixed team again, and ho had the same objection to tho mixed.meetings. In no place was there sufficient privacy in the dressing-rooms, even in Amsterdam, whore special provision had, to a certain extent, been made. For many reasons ho felt that in future men's and women's sports mcotings would be better arranged separately, and would .prove advantageous to all. A very hearty volo- of thanks was given to Mr. Amos for his interesting address at the end of his speech.