OLYMPIC GAMES

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 30 July 1928, Page 7

OLYMPIC GAMES

BRILLIANT PAGEANTRY.

PARADE OF ATHLETES. ABOUT 5000 PRESENT, '{Tinted I’rerfn Association —By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) —United Service). AMSTERDAM, July 28. Amsterdam is a virtual Tower of Babel, the city ‘being crowded. Portvsoven nations are represented by approximately 5000 athletes. The ninth Olympiad is 'the biggest in the history of the games. 1 Relentless all-night rain after several week's of delightful sunshine again gave place' to perfect weather in the nick of time to ensure a , successful opening, the Prince Consort, in the name of Queen Wilhelmina, 'officiating in the presence of a brilliant suite. The sun 'Was shining gloriously as he took the salute amid the strains of the Dutch national anthem. Tumultuous cheers followed 'and then the majestic parade of athletes began, the flower of the world’s manhood and womanhood filing past the Royal box ‘and taking up their positions. By virtue of inaugurating 'the Olympiad Greece headed the procession and other nations followed in alphabetical order. Each behind its bag the teams took | positions facing the Royal box and international and executive committees | formed a semi-circle before the grand- ! stand. Every word was audible as the president, Dr. do Visser, president of i the executive, and Baron iSchimmelpennink van dor Dye spoke. Inviting the Prince Consort to proclaim the games open Dr. do Visser expressed pride that, despite the Government’s refusal to support the Olympiad financially, private sympathy had been unprecedentedly awakened. He paid a tribute to the 'beauty of the revival of the ancient games. He added that unimpeachable honesty and good faith would rule the contest. Every competitor would have the conviction that the winner would achieve personal and national, honour only when victory was secured with shining weapon and clean bands. Let the feme of deep, religious passion kindle the .competitors’ souls since this alone could maintain the high tradition and realise the sublime ideal of Olympc games. DEVELOPMENT OF MAN. Schimmclpennink referred to the growing feeling that man’s mental and physical development should go hand in hand in order to achieve the harmonious whole. These contests would greatly', realise that ideal. The committee welcomed all the athletes and wished them honourable contest. He.iiequested Prince Hendrick of Netherlands to open the games. After the Prince’s speech there was a fanfare of trumpets and cannon shot, the Olympic flag was hoisted and 50 pigeons 'were simultaneously released, each with its neck beribboned with the colours of one of the competing nations. The ceremony of administering the oath to the athlete was then held. One nominated by Holland advanced to the front of the stand bearing the flag of liis country and surrounded by all the other standard bearers. He pronounced the oath, whcreiipon each subscribed, lifting his right arm. The oath is: "We swear to present ■ourselves at Olympiad as fair competitors respecting the rules governing the games, beinio- desirous of participating therein in a chivalrous spirit for the honour of our country and of sport.” The brilliant pageantry strikingly illustrated the world-wide growth of sport. The packed stadium applauded the hour-long procession of the world’s athletic armies from, solitary Panama, whoso standard was borne by a boy scout, to the battalions of Holland, America and Germany, while 'the appearance of every division of the British Empire was warmly cheered. From the moment the Greek flag signalised the entry of the body of extremely up-to-date young men as the upholders fof centuries-old sporting tradition till the last Netherlander proudly saluted the Prince 'Consort, 40,000 spectators received a lesson not only of the universality of sport but of geography. Lessor known European countries, whose names arc involuntarily associated in the English-speak-ing mind with musical comedy .plots, sent surprisingly strong representations of upstanding men and women. , The massed effect of the flags and uniforms of 43 nation's in 'the centre of the arena provided a memorable spectacle. .Purely there has been no greater tribute to the penetrating effects of sport than the extent to which the eastern countries embraced western customs and costumes in an endeavour! to establish themselves on equal ‘footing with the rest of 'the world. For instance, 'Turks paraded in smart cricket caps and blazers, while silkhatted, morning-coated officials headed Japan’s group of competitors In equally modern attire.

M IRFN DE RSTANniXfI WITH FTJEN'GTT. Owing to a regrettable misunderstanding with a gate-keeper the French competitors did not 'participate in the parade. The sensation this created deepened when it Was turnon red they were so incensed that they might refuse to participate in the games. It is ascertained that when the French went to the stadium yesterday authorised to view the grounds the gate-keeper refused admittance. An argument followed, culminating in Paul Meric amp, secretary-general o'f the French Olympic Federation, (being struck in the face. The team withdrew.

The Dutch Olympic. Committee, learning of the “occurrence, apologised and the incident was 'believed closed, especially as. the team was informed the gatekeeper would be dismissed. When the same team arrived to-day the same gate-keeper was on duty, and the team promptly departed. it is probable they will decline to participate ; in the go lues. The Frenchmen’s pique was intensified, it is understood, because the Germans and Finns wore allowed to train on the Olympic track, to which the French were not admitted. Owing to their absence from the opening ceremony the .French did not take the oath to which other teams subscribed. On account, of this their participation in the games is additionally do'nbtful. A later Paris message stated that, the incident had been cleared up, and Franco would participate in the games.

■Curiously enough the -tremendous influx of the cream of 'the world’s athletes and 'the legion of tongues have not caused the placid Dutchmen to take more than a passing interest. The excitement. is confined to foreigners. Even the excellent chance of a'gratis view of the training- of sportsmen known the world over fails to attract the

Dutchman in 'the street any more than the 'bicycling messenger boy. It. is a fact that if lie cares a jot about the Olympiad lie stolidly hides his interest behind the daily,routine of cigars land lager. As a business proposition the games are another matter, for the Netherlandcrs are reaping a rich harvest.