EAST, WEST GERMANY MAY SPLIT FOR OLYMPICS

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30725, 14 April 1965, Page 19

EAST, WEST GERMANY MAY SPLIT FOR OLYMPICS

(N.Z.PA.- Reuter—Copyright) LAUSANNE, April 13. The International Olympic Committee has been asked to give further consideration to having East and West German teams in future Olympic Games.

This follows a meeting between the committee and the International Sports Federations over the week-end.

The 1.0. C. president, Mr Avery Brundage, said the request would receive every consideration, although he wanted only one German team, which he regarded as a victory for sport over politics. If the 1.0. C. agrees to the request at its congress m Madrid in October it would mean official recognition for East Germany. This could raise difficulties as the N.A.T.O. countries will not grant visas to East Germans to compete in their

countries, and the 1.0. C. will not allow Olympic Games in any country which does not let in competitors from all affiliated nations.

An East German team cannot compete in France, so the 1968 Winter Games in Grenoble could be endangered.

The international federations also proposed that all 21 sports recognised as official Olympic sports should be staged in future Olympics after the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico.

This would mean the inclusion of judo, handball and archery. Mr Brundage said the Winter Olympics had become so large and expensive the 1.0. C. would have to look into the whole question of their future.

On doping, he said he had the assurance of all federations they would do all in their power to prevent its use in sport.

The closing ceremonies of future Olympics were also discussed, said Mr Brundage. The idea which originated in Melbourne in 1956 that competitors should parade with one nation intermingled with another had been a success on that occasion, but had become a “riot” in Tokyo.