THE OLYMPIC GAMES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 101, 27 April 1912, Page 10

THE OLYMPIC GAMES.

CHAMPIONS WOamrATJOJNT. STATEMENT BY COUNCIL. (Bj Telegraph.—Press Association.) . WELXINGTON, Friday. In connection, with the departure from New Zeafand of M. E. Champion, the i ■Vjiokland swimmer, to compete in the ; English champianahjpe, and if possible at the Olympic Games, the New Zealand ■ Olympic Committee has issued a full . statement of the facts. This states that , -when approached to ascertain if be would , go to Stockholm, Champion stipulated , conditions which it was impossible to * agree to. On MaTch 4 Hill' and Wilding , were finally nominated, but so far the , full amount of £200 to cover the expenses ,of those men has not been collected. On i April 11 the council received from the j New Zealand Swimming Association a , guarantee of £100 to enable Champion to ,go to the Olympic Games. To this the I council replied that £175 would be rel quired before Champion's entry was sane- , tioned. On April 15 the Olympic Council . passed a resolution stating that it would L be pleased to enter Champion, bnt until L the amount of his expenses (£175) was in the hands of the council, his entry could not be forwarded. On April 16 notification was received from Auckland , stating that Champion was coming to Wellington, and asking the amount of his * expenses to Stockholm. These were sup- ■ * plied, and Mr. J. J. Mulvihill (Auckland) 8 replied: "Prepared remit expenses when : ; raised." On April 17 notification was received from Auckland) that it was im--3 possible to raise the expenses, and that a Champion would go definitely to the Eng--9 Ksh championships. A string of telegrams between the council and Auckland and °_ Christchurch followed. Finally, on Fri--7 day last, the president of the Xew Zea--8 land Swimming Association personally > guaranteed £50 on behalf of bis council. * and Champion sailed on Saturday .by the 7 Athenic for London, not. however, under c the aegis of the Olympic Council. On the 1 date of his departure the Olympic Council 6 communicated with Auckland as follows: 3 "Champion left by Athenic. Olympic * Council will nominate him for Stockholm * on receipt of £50 from Auckland. Other--3 wise Champion under directions of Wai- '- temata Club only." Here for the present a the matter ends, and Champion, already c on his way to London, has not yet bee i ■t nominated for the Olympic Games.