RIGBY AS SPORT IN OLYMPICS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28983, 26 August 1959, Page 18

RIGBY AS SPORT IN OLYMPICS

International Board’s Attitude

(New Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN, August 25.

Rugby last featured in the Olympic Games programme in 1924 and if it is ever revived as an Olympic sport the International Rugby Board will not have the slightest interest in offering its support. This is the opinion of Mr W. C. Ramsay, secretary of the English Rugby Football Union. Mr Ramsay and Dr. .Danie Craven, of South Africa, both of whom are., in New Zealand for the International Board meeting, passed through Dunedin today on a visit to Central Otago.

The International Board was interested in Rugby purely as a game for the Commonwealth, Mr Ramsay said. The European and even American mental outlook on the game was completely foreign to the British. Asked if he would be more explicit, Mr Ramsay said: “No, I prefer not to be. You might quote me.”

The Italians had proposed including Rugby on the 1960 Olympic programme, but the International Board had not been interested, he said. Nor was it interested in any other international competition. Canada was the only country likely to be accepted under the board’s control. The board, however, did not refuse permission for member nations to make private or semiprivate tours to foreign Rugbyplaying countries, he said.