1928 OLYMPIC GAMES

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 9, 5 October 1927, Page 8

1928 OLYMPIC GAMES

PREPARING AT AMSTERDAM

12,000 ATHLETES EXPECTED

The Olympic Games were reborn in 1896, and until interrupted by the outbreak of the Great War iu 1914, were held regularly every four years. Since 1912, the last occasion on which the Games were held before the war, Germany has not participated, but she will again be taking part in the Games to be held in Amsterdam in 1928. The training iu Germany, which is largely subsidised by the Government of the Reich and a number of private concerns, is carried out on a very extensive scale. At the forthcoming Gaines it is understood that the Germans will compete in most of the principal events, and they* will certainly try to break several of the American records. Not only from Germany, however, are large entries expected, but from countries all over the world. The following countries have already accepted the invitation to participate: Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Germany, Egypt, Finland, France, Great Britain, Haiti, Hungary, Letland, Littauen, Norvege, Austria, Poland, Spain, Czecho-Slovakia, Turkey, Jugo-Slavia, Switzerland, Luxembourg, United States of America, Iceland, Sweden, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand; they will send teams varying in numbers from 50 to over 500. As these various competitors will be accompanied by officials, trainers, etc., it is estimated that suitable lodging accommoda- . tion will have to be provided for some 19.000 athletes in all. The International Olvmpic Committee will be present with over 200 representatives, and the world’s Press will be represented by about 2000 members. The accommodation for these officials and semi-official people will be provided for bv the Organisation Committee. ■Although it is impossible to tell at the present time how many spectators will visit Holland in 1928 to attend the Ninth Olympiade, it can readily, be assumed that the total will approximate the million coming and going by boat, rail, or ’plane. The probcm of finding adequate accommodation for the parking of all the motor cars that are expected will also be a difficult one. New Stadium Being Built. And what about the stadium? ' An entirely new stadium has had to be built to meet all the requirements. It is true that there already exists in

Amsterdam a stadium capable of accommodating some 30,000 spectators, but this was adjudged insufficient. The Netherlands Olympic Committee has, therefore, had to construct an entirely new stadium at a cost of some two million florins, and may it be recorded to the great credit of the Dutch nation, comprising only some seven million souls, that the whole of the sum was collected by voluntary subscription within a few weeks. The site upon which the new stadium is now being constructed was nothing but a swamp less than twelve mouths ago. One million cubic metres of sand have had to b<_ conveyed to the site, not less than some 5000 piles, varying in length from 40 to 50 feet have had to be driven into the soft ground before the actual work of construction could begin. To-day the ground floor, the cycling track and the football ground are ready and half of the stands are already laid out in solid concrete. To the' construction of the latter a special machine is used It is called tipping jetty, which brings the concrete wherever it is wanted Though the stadium itself is made from concrete, a wall in typical Dutch red bricks will surround the whole. The Prince Consort of the Netherlands has laid the foundation stone. In another year the whole will be ncadv. It will hold about 40,000 people. In addition to the actual stadium provision is also being made for boxing, fencing, swimming, tennis, etc. The rowing and sailing contests will take place in the immediate vicinity of Amsterdam, where there is ample and suitable water accommodation for this purpose. The equestrian events will take place partly in the stadium and partly in the quaint and interesting surrounding country, which is yearly visited by thousands of tourists. Historic Amsterdam. The city of Amsterdam, which is the capital of Holland and a modern, up-to-date city full of relics of the glorious seventeenth centurv, has sufficient distractions to offer to suit every taste. Excellent railway communication brings within easy access of the city the many points ’of interest in this small but prosperous and well-organis-ed country, and all those who visit it primarily to witness the great Games of 1928 will certainly be able to take away with them the. memories of a pleasant and instructive holiday.