OLYMPIC GAMES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 18 June 1931, Page 6

OLYMPIC GAMES

COLOURFUL PAGEANTRY OPENING CEREMONIES DEFILE OF THE NATIONS One of the most picturesque aml impressive features of the Olympic Games, to be. held in Los Angeles, California, in a little over twelve months’ time and at which New Zealand will be represented, will be the opening ceremonies on the first day, 30th July. On that date in the great stadium, with seating accommodation for 105,000 people, tho athletes of each nation headed by their own flag will march past the reviewing stand. This colourful pageant, or as it is called, the Defile of Nations, was initiated in 1908, when the fifth of the modern series of Games was held in London. In 1912, at Stockholm, Sweden, another custom was introduced, of opening the Games with religious ceremonv.

OBEISANCE TO A GREAT GOD ' No reference is made to creed in the religious ceremony. In a broadcast address delivered in America, Mr William May Garland, United States representative on the International Olympic Committee, said that whatever the religious beliefs of the youthful athletes, all paid obeisance to the Great God of creative strength. Likewise, all offered allegiance to one flag—-the flag of Olympism—a symbol of clean, amateur sport, consisting of five interlaced rings of international colours on a field of pure white. The flag was displayed for the first time at the Antwerp, Belgium, Games in 1920, and since then its raising at the opening of the Games has become a definite part of the ceremonies.

The Olympic Oath.—lt is regarded as a rare privilege to be present at tho opening of the Games and see several thousand participants take the following solemn vow, popularly called the Olympic oath : “We swear that we will take part in the Olympic Games in loyal competition, respecting the regulations which govern them and are desirous of participating in them in the true spirit of sportsmanship for the honour of our country and for the glory of sport.” Equally impressive are the closing ceremonies, when the youth of every country are called upon to assemble in four years at the next Olympic city and to “display cheerfulness and concord that the Olympiad torch may be carried through the ages for the good of a humanity more eager, more courageous, and more pure.”

“WHILE GUNS ROARED” Some idea of the impressive nature of the opening ceremonies of the Olympiads is to be gained from the following description of the opening of the last Games at Amsterdam, in 1928, which is taken rfom the j American Olympic Committee’s report : “While guns roared and amidst a set ting of unsurpassed grandeur, the IXth Olympic Games were officially declared open by His Highness, the Prince of the Netherlands. It was an inspiring sight which will long be remembered by the. 40.000 spectators who filled the stadium to capacity. Jt is estimated that over ?5,000 people were outside the gates unable to secure admission.

“A group of trumpeters sounded prolonged blasts at which time the Parade of Nations started to enter the stadium. Over 3000 athletes, representing 46 nations, participated in the parade, which was led by Greece. The athletes

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circled the track once and then lined up on tile, infield and stood at attention. “Liberation of Pigeons.—Prince Hendrik, as the representative of the Queen, who was in Norway at the time, arose and proclaimed : Mil the name of Her Majesty, Queen of Holland, 1 declare the Olympic Gaines of 1928, celebrating the IXth Olympiad of modern times, opened.' Immediately thereafter a. trumpet was heard, then the thunder of a cannon salute and the' Olympic Hag was hoisted to the central mast. This was a signal for. the freeing of about 1000 pigeons, symbolic of carrying the message to all concerned. Harry Denis, captain of the Dutch Soccer team, then advanced to the foot of the Tribune of Honour bearing in his hand the Dutch flag and surrounded in a semi-circle by the bearers of the flags of all the other countries and pronounced the Olympic oath, all the other athletes joining in. A choir of 1200 people then chanted the Dutch national anthem.” Another custom at the Games, after the final of each event, is the playing of the national anthem of the winner’s country and the hoisting of his country’s flag.

NEW ZEALAND’S PLACE For the Gaines of the Xth Olympiad at Los Angeles next year, _ elaborate preparations are being made with a view to making the festival the finest that has ever been held. New Zealand must and will be represented and no doubt the measures being taken by the New Zealand Olympic Association will meet with support throughout New Zealand, and thus enable this country to take its place, better represented than ever before, in the Defile of Nations and in the various contests comprising the programme. With its handful of representatives New Zealand has always made a brave showing in the past, but the holding of the 1932 Games in Los Angeles gives the Dominion the best chance it has ever had. The size of the team New Zealand will be able to pit against the representatives of the other nations, depends, of course, on the funds available. The Big Windfall Art Union has been adopted" 1 by the Olympic Association as a means of collecting the money, so that New Zealand sportsmen in giving their support not only will be assisting m the raising of the necessary finance to send the team away, but will stand a chance of gaining a “windfall.