CHINESE CLASH AT OLYMPIC TALKS

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27683, 13 June 1955, Page 11

CHINESE CLASH AT OLYMPIC TALKS

(Rec. 10 p.m.) PARIS, June 11. A clash between the Olympic delegates of Communist and Nationalist China occurred during the meeting of the Executive Committee of the International Olympic Committee and the National Olympic Associations, it was reliably learned today.

Though the meeting was private, it was learned the Chinese Communists strongly protested to the International Committee president, Mr Avery Brundage, of the United States, at the presence of the delegates from Formosa. Mr Brundage was reported to have told them their objections were out of order and that the Formosan delegates had every right to be present. Communist China has only recently been admitted to the 1.0. C., and this: was their first appearance before the executive.

Mr Brundage also said that someone had taken the liberty of scoring out the names of the Chinese Nationalist delegation from the attendance book. Such actions could not be tolerated, he said.

Assurances were today demanded of the Australian Olympic Organising Committee by members of the National Olympic Committee and International Federation that there would be no difficulty in bringing into Australia firearms and implements for the shooting and pentathlon, and that there would be free entry into the country. Mr Hugh Weir, of the Australian Olympic Committee, told a Reuter correspondent that these assurances were being obtained.

Although the official report of the Australian committee has yet to be submitted to the 1.0. C. at its meeting next week, Mr Weir said the meeting today was told of the preparations being made in Melbourne for the 1956 Olympic Games. Delegates were told that in spite of impressions they might have gained from rumours and statements circulated. they could rest assured that all installations and preparations would be completed on schedule. “Our report appeared to be favourably received by all concerned, but naturally questions were asked by delegates seeking clarification,” Mr Weir said. “The two most important were the entry into Australia of all visiting athletes and officials, irrespective of creed, colour and politics, and the admission of firearms and implements required for shooting and the modern pentathlon. “Another question raised was the rate of accommodation in the Olympic village, which had been fixed at £3 15s. “This was compared with the sixdollar Helsinki rate of the last Olympic Games and we were asked to give every possible consideration to reducing the suggested charge,” he said. Mr Weir said that the official replies to these questions would not be given until the Congress met next week. Mr Weir told the correspondent that there wds no embargo on firearms except the .22 pistol. He said he felt that Olympic Games competitors would be satisfactorily dealt with regarding the .22 pistol. On the matter of visas, arrangements had already been made for an Olympic identity card to act as a valid passport if recognised by the Government of the countries concerned as a valid document

Mr E. J. Holt, technical director of the Australian Olympic Organising'

Committee, tonight announced that the Olympic rowing events would be held at Lake Wendouree, near Ballarat, instead of at Learmonth.