OLYMPIC GAMES

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 122, 25 May 1928, Page 7

OLYMPIC GAMES

THE BRITISH TEAM ROYAL GOOD WISHES , (From "The Post's" Repre.entative.) LONDON, 18th April. The Duke of Gloucester was the principal guest at the annual dinner of the British Olympic Association. It was the first occasion on which Prince Henry had taken part in a public gathering since his new title had been. conferred on him. The chairman (the Duke of Sutherland) mentioned that there had been no Duke of Gloucester in this country for over a hundred years, and they had in the Duke a luckier bearer of the name than some in. past history. The first Duke was smothered by his enemies at Calais in 1397. His successor was beheaded iv 1400, and the wife of the next Duke imprisoned for practising sorcery. (Laughter.) The Duke of Gloucester, in proposing the toast of "The Association," said-that he welcomed the opportunity of wishing the British team every success at Amsterdam. (Cheers.) Our interest as a nation in the Olympic Games dated from the'time when the International' OlympicCommittee held its congress iii lionftdn'in■ 1904, King Edward granted his patron^ age, and the King, then Prince of Wales, received the members at Marlborough House. The immediate outcome of that congress was the founding of the British Olympic Association in the following year in the House of Commons. From that they would see that his family had always taken the deepest interest in the Olympic movement from its inception until the present day. ' . . : Every Englishman, in fact,, every' Briton, when he heard of our teams starting,, secretly pvshed that he was b'ue of-them.... Many felt that, if, only they were given a chance, they could throw a javelin a bit farther and run a hundred yards a bit faster than anyone else. (Laughter.) He could not see that coming true in his own case. Personally he loved all sport's and games—(cheers)—but favoured most those played from the back of a horse. (Cheers.) v What a pity it was that the events at' Amsterdam "did': not include an international fox hunt of teams of six a-side—the first six home, of any. country to win—points to be deducted for over-riding or injuring hounds,, and anyone treading oh the fox to be disqualified. (Laughter.) Knowing a little about the geography of Holland, however, he did. not think it advisable, for they did not want the competitors' to be drowned. (Laughter.)1 THE CAUSE OF PEACE. Continuing, the Duke said that the keenness shown by everybody in connection with the Games was astounding. Funds had been raised, for the most part, by the generosity and keen sportsmanship of private ' individuals, and {he Mayors of the great cities of the United Kingdom. He had also to mention the'enthusiastic manner in which the governing bodies of amateur t'jo-rts throughout the country had done everything in their way to assist in every way possible, Since its foundation the association had rendered the greatest help to the Dominion associations. Ho need not dwell on the value of the Olympic Games spirit. It assisted to tighten the bonds of friendship which united our Empire. That friendly feeling spread throughout the nations competing so that the whole movement was directed towards the furtherance of world peace. ■ It' was not possible at so early a stage to foretell our chances at ' Amsterdam, but he was told there existed a quiet feeling of confidence in the British team. Of one thing, however,, he was certain. Win or lose, those who represented Great Britain would hold hifeli'their country's ropntation for clean sport and fair play. Tlie team would also do its part in furthering goodwill between sportsmen and sportsmen, nation and nation, and so advance the cause of p'eae'e throughout the world. .(Cheers.) In conclusion, he wished success to the team. The chairman said that" he anticipated that the British team would be the happiest and the best prepared that had ever left our shores. (Cheers.) At one time it was doubtful whether this country would, be .represented' at all. The crisis arose.because we relied upon purely voluntary effort for funds. • Other countries gave subsidies. Owing to the generosity of the public, and also in great measure to the splendid action of Lord Rothermere and "The Daily Mail," they had been enabled to take over a .team properly equipped and maintained and wjorthy to uphold British prestige.