THE OLYMPIC GAMES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 262, 18 August 1936, Page 5

THE OLYMPIC GAMES.

JESSE OWENS GOING HOME.

PREPARED FOR SUSPENSION. (United Press Association—o Copyright.) (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) BERLIN, August 17.“ Jesse Owens, the negro Olympic champion, did not. go to Sweden today with the rest of the American athletes. Mr Ferris (executive secretary of the American Athletic Union) says that while there will be no formal suspension, Owens will be suspended automatically if he does not compete at the athletic meeting in Sweden ‘on Wednesday. Owe‘us says: “I am tired of running; I am going home aboard the Queen Mary on Wednesday. I expect suspension. I think it is tough.”

BRITISH TEAM’S COMPLAINT.

STRONG CRITICISM VOICED. LONDON, August 17. The athletic writer of the “Morning Post” says that several leading athletes have signed' a. letter of protest against the Olympic arrangements, which they are sending to the Amateur Athletic As—sociation. The athletes complain first that the team arrived at Berlin too late to give the competitors 3. fair chance, secondly, that no coach was appointed with expe‘rience of athletics under 'modern conditions, for which the athletes were driven to seek advice from the coaches of other nations, and, thirdly, the inadequate or—ganisation for transport and food. The correspondent of the‘ Associated Press in Berlin says that the Australian Olympic team should take home valuable lessons, notably the necessity for drastic changes in organisation, coaching and training. Their showing was due partly to a diffusion of effort in attempting over-much, whereas a. smaller specialist side might have done better. Most of the team trained conscientiously by Australian standards, but the system was lacking in preparation, and it was impossible for the manager, Mr H. Alderson, to supervise adequately efforts which were spread over such a wide field. ,“The Times,” in a leading article, says: “The Olympic Games show that the whole world has adopted sport with a zest and passion which Britain finds a difficulty in rivalling. “It is possible to take our poor showing too seriously and also possible to take it too lightly. There is no need to lament the decadence of the race or to make sport one of life’s more solemn occupations, but consideration may afford a. clue to the defects which should be remedied on the grounds of national well-being.”