OLYMPIC GAMES

Evening Star, Issue 20054, 20 December 1928, Page 13

OLYMPIC GAMES

NEW ZEALAND MANAGER'S REPORT TOO BIG A PROGRAMME [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON. December 19. Mr 11. Amos ; manager of the New Zealand Olympic team, in tho course of his report on,the.Amsterdam Olympiad, suggests a radical reduction of the number of events and simplification of tho Games. On this point he says: “At Amsterdam there were twelve branches- of/ sport, which took a fortnight to decide (July 28 to August 12), but prior to this there were winter sports and various team games—Soccer, lacrosse, hockey, polo, etc.—in which comparatively few countries are interested. These necessitate an army of managers, coaches, masseurs, trainers, doctors, nurses, chaperons, journalists, and otlior officials. This involves elaborate preparations and organisations. Comparatively few can afford the time and expense demanded to participate in the Games as at present constituted, and unless the International Olympic Committee is prepared to face the situation boldly, and reduce very considerably ,-tho present programme, I see little hope of a permanent continuance of; the Olympic Games.” ’Continuing, Mr Amos declares that tho adequate financing of the teams should be a matter 1 for tho Government. This has been recognised by a .number of countries for somo time, notably France, Germany, Scandinavia, Canada, and the United States. For New Zealand it would only be a matter of approximately £5.000 every four years, or £1,250 per annum. Such an investment would return so satisfactory a. dividend that its merits would quickly bo appreciated.