Olympic Attitude Towards Amateurism Attacked

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30633, 26 December 1964, Page 15

Olympic Attitude Towards Amateurism Attacked

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) PARIS, Dec. 25. A French Minister has attacked the International Olympic Committee for its attitude towards amateurism.

He said the committee held principles which were contrary to the interests of sport in many countries. The Secretary of State for Youth and Sports, Mr Maurice Herzog, was speaking after a meeting of the State-sponsored French high committee on sports. He said French sportsmen should try to bring about a change in the 1.0.C.’s conception of amateurism.

“This autocratic conception, which was held in France 50 years ago, results in a situation where, apart from the United States, only weailihy young people can practice high competition sports,” he said. In the west in particular, the sportsman risked becoming “disloyal” since he often found himself in contradiction with official rules. He could even be led to committing perjury by taking

■ the Olympic oath, Mr Herzog i said. ; The meeting approved a ; report which suggested that greater support be given to sport by government and edui cational bodies“The state must assume its responsibilities,” Mr Herzog ; said. ' “Just as a student gets a ' scholarship for learning, a young man with little money should be able to win a i scholarship to help him take ; part in competitive sport.”