1940 OLYMPIC GAMES

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 265, 5 August 1937, Page 18

1940 OLYMPIC GAMES

Japan’s Thoroughness PREPARATIONS IN HAND With the Japanese Government voting 4,300,000 yen, equal to £320,000 in New Zealand money, the way is being paved for the twelfth Olympic Games, to be staged at Tokio in August of 1940. The organising Olympic committee at Tokio is headed by Prince Leasato Tokogawa (president), with Baron Keiichi Kubota (general secretary), who has given full details of the proposals, which include the remodelling of the stadium at the Meiji Shrine grounds, which is to be enlarged to seat 100,000 people. With characteristic thoroughness Japan has planned for the Tokio Gaines for years, and indications are that the contests will even surpass the wonderful arrangements and efficiency ofAmerica at Los Angeles in 1932 and the Berlin Games of 1936. At both of these Olympiads a small army of Japanese officials and specialists were detailed to. make a thorough study of methods employed with a view to attaining even greater efficiency in 1940. In the first official bulletin—to be published monthly in four languages —the Japanese Olympic committee points out that, in order to ensure complete success, the resources of the nation are being mobilised. All proposals to select a new sitediscarding the excellent facilities at the Meiji Shrine grounds—were ‘laid aside at a recent meeting of the organising committee. According to the plan submitted by Dr. Kishidi, a member of the committee, the existing stadium, when remodelled, will seat nearly 100,000 tators and that for aquatic events about 20,000. At the moment the final decision has not been made regarding the main stadium, Olympic Village, and tracks and facilities for visiting teams to practise. According to Baron Kuboto, the tentative plans, however, are. as follows: ■ The site of the main stadium and swimming stadium will be in the garden of the Meiji Shrine, in the heart of Tokio, .its area being 125 acres. All scientific and modern devices will be installed to ensure the accuracy of judging the contests and for the comfort of the contestants as well as the spectators. The chief events to be held at the stadium will be the opening and closing ceremonies, track and field events, different games, equestrian events, etc. The stadium field will be laid out with the track in the centre, the outer portion being devoted to running and field events.

The track will measure 400*metres in circumference, with a Straight run of 140 metres on the side of the main stand. There will be several subsidiary grounds for jumping and other field events. Two underground entrances will be provided for competitors at the south sides of the field. A new swimming pool is to be constructed near the main stadium and will be 50 metres x 22.3 metres. There will be nine courses each 2.3 metres wide and 1.3 metres deep at both ends, and 2.3 metres at the centre. The diving pool, 20 x 20 m., will be 5 m. from the swimming pool; depth 4.5 m„ and height of the diving stands is 5 and 10 metres, also, two other diving stands of 3 m. and 1 m. respectively. Water polo will be played in the centre of the pool. The stadium will accommodate 20,000 spectators and will be brilliantly illuminated at night. It is probable that the “Olympic Village” wifi be located at Kinuta, along the Tama River, about six miles from the stadium. The grounds will cover 800 acres, and wooden cottages will be assigned to the competing countries. In the event of special food being required, cooks will be engaged by the organising committee, but the cost must be borne by the visiting teams. The village and the stadium will be connected with a 15-minute motor-bus service, which will be free for all competitors except'on private business. To meet the convenience of visiting teams special arrangements will be made in the village for baggage,. customs, recreation and social activities, while accommodation is to be found for visiting journalists. In addition to the facilities at Olympic Village, there will be 20 tracks for athletic events, 10 swimming pools, 13 football grounds, eight hockey grounds, 10 basketball courts, 10 boxing rings. 10 wrestling gymns., 10 places for fencing and a like number for weight-lift-

ing. The present plans are for the Olympic Games to open at Tokio on the first Saturday in August, and to be spread over 16 days. But these arrangements may be varied. August has been, chosen because it is preferable in Tokio.

Thus with three years in which to prepare, Japan is well ahead with her plans, and has the stage well set which will permit of numerous “dress rehearsals” before the curtain rises in 1940. From an obscure sporting nation 20 years ago, Japan has become a power to be reckoned with. Already she has established herself as a peerless swimming nation, while in athletics and other forms of sport Japan is sure to provide formidable opposition. Japan has set a wonderful example to the nations of the world in showing what can be done. Intensive training, seeking the world’s best mentors and a thorough study of modern scientific methods have placed this nation of the Far East in the world’s front rank of sport.