Move To Oust Mr Brundage

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31670, 4 May 1968, Page 15

Move To Oust Mr Brundage

(N.Z.P.A. -Reuter—Copyright) PARIS.

The president of the French Olympic Committee, Count Jean de Beaumont, announced yesterday he was prepared to take over the leadership of the International Olympic Committee if asked to do so. The Count, aged 64, has disagreed with Mr Avery Brundage, the 80-year-old American 1.0. C. president, over the handling of the controversy about South Africa’s participation in the Mexico City Olympic Games. In a telegram to Mr Brundage last week he approved the executive board’s recommendation to exclude South Africa, but criticised the use of a postal vote and deplored “a lack of foresight" in the way the decision was reached. Count de Beaumont said yesterday that the 1.0. C. was approaching a dangerous corner. Mr Brundage’s re-election

In Mexico, when be would be 81, “would represent a challenge to common sense for the youth of the world.”

“I believe that If Mr Brundage was re-elected, the wave of protest in the world would be even bigger than that caused by the South African affair,” Count de Beaumont said.