THE OLYMPIC GAMES.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14347, 6 May 1912, Page 10

THE OLYMPIC GAMES.

—■» 13 CHAMPION TO GO?

■A number of members of the -Now Zealand Swimming Association met -Mr A. Marriott, chairman of the Olympic Games Council for New Zealand on Saturday, to consult with him on tho question, of sending M. Champion to Stockholm, this year. There-were pre-sent:—-Messrs Goo. Harris (chairman), Jiishop,-A. Williams,. G. Parsonson, \V. Uoldsi>ury (hon. Sec). .11:ch, 0. lleese, Buchanan, K. liassett, and A. Wauchop. [■-.'■Jlr Marriott said that at tho lust meeting of tho Council, held on April loth, no'provision had been made for including Champion in- the team. After inaUing exhaustive enquiries they had come to tho conclusion that only "Wilding and' Hill would l>3 goiny, i Q which case £200 would' cover tw expense. There...was .even- :i possibility that Wildiny might pay his own ex- ' penses. The ' £200 referred to they , proposed :to r.iistv through various i sports bodies without appealing to the public at all. They also judged' it- inadvisable to ask the Government for a subsidy, ar, aid ot" this kind might J bo required Liter in sending a larger j team. The only guarantee they Imd ! received was that from Mr Harris. They gav<> Champion £10 for training expenses, however,, on the i'hanro " that they might ho able to nominate him. The cost of bo.ir:l i in (Stockholm wo.uld be about £'A per j wool:, and, in addition. each jorji j voi'.ld have to 5 be supplied with a eer- I tain amount 'of " pocket money. Then' there wotil'l l.l> the cost of training, which wmild bt , a considerable item. The- council in Wellington hnd ::omo difficulty with the Auckland Asscciu-I timi iirobtainiii£ the balance or'money ■required to send Hill, and ib was only by passing a strong resolution- that they were finally a bio to ;iet it. Tho body lie represented'"riotv took'im vhis stand—-that they would accept Mr; Harris's guarantee only on the condition that another £50 was raised mi Auckhmd. Moreover, the only body with which they wished to deal in tho matter -was tho Now Zealand Swimming Association. Tho Oiympic Council. Mr Marriott continued, had every desire to send Champion if it were possible, as they believed that over long distances, at any rate, he should .stand .'in excellent eiutneo. As a representative Xew Zealand swimmer, ho should hu allowed to <io to Stockholm, to siwiv what lie couM do. If, however, the couiu-il j in • Wellinprton' nominal* d him. they | r.iadc themselves Tt-si:oiisiblu ; tor bis j expenses. Tha Association thanked Mr Marriott for hi.s statement of the position, and adjourned till Monday evening, when the matter will )»; further discussed. In conversation with a ••Tress" representative. Mr Marriott emphasised the point that the. Olympic Games Council was oniv too ready,and willing to send Champion to Stockholm as a representative -New Zealand athlete, provided that the money rerjuirod for his expenses could bo raised.