HELP AT HOME

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 131, 5 June 1928, Page 10

HELP AT HOME

FOR EMPIRE ATHLETES SUGGESTIONS OFFERED , Regarding the reception in England of Dominion team en route to the Olympic Games, a special correspondent of the "Observer" (England) writes as follows:-— "Whatever- view British sportsmen' may take of the Olympic movement," says this writer, "there can be no1 difference ol' opinion as to the advisability of extending every courtesy to our Empire athletes, aud making them feel that they are at home among friends and not in a strange country. '•There is. much in first impressions. I have travelled down to meet a.Dominion team of track and field athletes, boxers, cyclists, oarsmen, swimmers, and lawn tennis players, and, in the capacity of a mere 'pressman been the only representative of. British sport on the yuay, or, indeed, elsewhere. I have known a groat athlete come here, not for Olympic Games, but with A.A.A. championships as his objective, and be left entirely to his own resources, with the natural consequence that he got into the wrong circles and returned home, not merely a disappointed but a disgruntled' man. A little imagination, a little unbending of the ofiieial attitude, might have avoided much. "What I am concerned about is the period of six to eight weeks during which they will be preparing themselves to meet the world's best at Amsterdam. That is the time when assistance and advice will be really helpful; it has been needed in the past." FORMAL RECEPTIONS. ' . The correspondent goes on to' suggest: "First, that the teams should be greeted by a formal reception, if possible, at the port of arrival. Each governing body, which controls a sport of which an exponent is included in the team, should be represented, and at once offer its good influences in making any training arrangements. A civic reception should certainly be arranged in London. lam certain the Lord Mayor, Sir Charles Batho, would be delighted to take the lead in that. Lord Rochdale, Sir, Paul Goff, and their Olympic confreres in Parliament might with advantage arrange a little function such as tea on the terrace for each team. The Dominion athlete takes a closer interest in politics than the average Britisher. In each instance the Dominion headquarters on' this side should be invited to co-oper-ate, and would not hesitate at throwing its whole weight in. TRAINING ARRANGEMENTS. "As regards training and preparation,! will confine my attention to athletics proper, with which I am in the closest touch. The A.A.A. should get into touch with its corresponding member in each Dominion and proffer its help in the arrangements. An effort should be made to provide the visitors with just, as much competition as the officials in charge of each team deem desirablo, and. a firm*hand used to preventthat exploitation, to. which reference has been niade. These athletes are over here to gain honours for their country, not to walk away with valuable prizes, tendered rather with a desire to attract them as a gate-money draw than from any particular desire to assist in their real objective. ''I should like to see a few relay or other matches arranged, with any qualified men from the 'Varsities joining in. This, I have been told, would interfere with sports meetings already arranged, but I visualise, rather, mid-week meetings than big Saturday afternoon affairs, where the events,. if arranged, .would only be a side show. Doubtless certain county associations, and, perhaps, the banks, Stock Exchange, or services associations, and the universities, greater and less, would be prepared to arrange matches of the kind I have suggested."