ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13048, 13 December 1905, Page 3

ATHLETICS.

THE OLYMPIAD AT ATHENS. Thus the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News of October 28:—It is to bo feared that, after all, there will be a very small representation of Oxford and Cambridge University athletes at the" Olympic games in Athens next year. The dato fixed for the beginning of the sports is April 16, and it is expected that they will be in progress for ten days. As the inter-'Varsity meeting will probably take place on or about March 30, those University athletes who wish to compete in Athens will havo to keep in training for a fortnight after their own meeting. There will also be the difficulty of the schools. Taken altogether, it is doubtful whether many mini from the English seats of learning will take tho journey.

THE EXPENSES OF AMATEURS. In dealing with the suspension of Shrubb, the Athletic News writes in a strain that will find support in democratic Now Zealandcrs:—The cry for a relaxation of the amateur conditions in regard to expenses has again been raised. It is pointed out, with strict accuracy, that the A.A. and, for the matter of that, the S.A.A.A., as well, are the only bodies who hold to the original conception "and definition of amateurism, despite the fact that the whole system of sport has more or less changed. The ethical phase of amateurism cannot be argued in the limited space at, my command: indeed, it has only a slight bearing on the questions which are" certain to emerge into prominence on account of Shrubb's suspension. _ Is tho law of amateurism, and all that it implies, to remain for ever as it is? Nobody, and least of all an athletic body, can remain stationary. It must change with tho changing times/ Progress is of tho essence of everythingsocial, political, and religious. Why not. therefore, progress in connection with athletics? Athletics is a huge system of finance, though sumo still refuse to believe this; and where monetary considerations are supreme, as they are in athletics, it is folly, and worse than folly, to think that the idealism of 20 years ago can be maintained in these degenerate days. My contention, in a word, is that the time lias come when tho A.A.A., the S.A.A.A.. and tho A.A.A. must frame their rides in accordance with the exigencies of everyday life.