THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1938 THE EMPIRE GAMES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22955, 5 February 1938, Page 14

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1938 THE EMPIRE GAMES

To Sydney to-day a myriad eyes turn, as the Empire Games begin. Mainly they ate eyes of British folk resident in various countries under the flag, but outside those national bounds are countless others interested in the contests. For feats of physical prowess have attracted human zest and admiration through unreckoned time, and as the world grows older this attraction suffers no touch of enfeebling age. They must be few indeed so wanting in this .delight that they find reason to cavil at the linking of "Empire" with "games," even if they are sceptical about a certain profound juggling with geography that seems to locate an epochal deed of arms in the grounds of an English public school. Truth to tell, athletic pastimes have never been far §iway from serious pursuits; their enjoyment as relaxation has ministered not a little, even when there has been no deliberate thought of this, to achievements of mind and morals. Excessive heed to culture of thews and sinews can weaken this service, but the limits ai'e wide within which it may be nobly rendered, to the enrichment of all life. Vigorous games, indeed, are an essential element in any worthy plan of education. When Baron Pierre de Coubertin first suggested holding a modern Olympiad —the Empire Games are an offshoot of that realised idea—he made an inspiring declaration of his faith. "Before all," he said, "it is necessary that we should preserve in sport those characteristics of nobility and chivalry which have distinguished it in the past, so that it may continue to play the same part in the education of the peoples of to-day as it played so admirably in the days of ancient Greece." To be reminded of this counsel is not unnecessary. Neglect to translate it into practice has, at times, allowed displays of the "win, tie or wrangle" spirit to mar even great occasions of striving for athletic laurels. But in the heart of every participant in regrettable episodes of the kind is a conviction, more or less upbraiding, that they are a sad and inexcusable betrayal of the healthful ideal.

At this time it is useful to recall the arising of the Empire Games from the Olympiad. That international venture of 1896,' fittingly begun with Athens as its venme, embodied excellent ambitions, among them a fidelity to the amateur principle and an eagerness to foster friendship among the peoples of the earth- Achievement of these ambitions has not been easy. It could not be. Yet the venture has been amply justified, despite lapses from the ideal. When the Olympic Games of 1920 were in prospect, someone suggested that immediately they were concluded an athletic contest should take place between teams representing respectively the British Empire and the United Stated. The suggestion was adopted, and a tie between the teams resulted. From this experiment emerged a proposal for a special assembly of Empire athletes in varied competition, and eventually this proposal gave birth to the first Empire Games, held at Hamilton, Ontario, in August of 1930. These were notably successful. It was thereupon decided to continue them, the final arrangement being that they should be held in every fourth year, midway in the four-year interval between the Olympic Games. By happy choice, London was made the next rendezvous : this selection took the national experiment, at its second step, to the heart of the Empire. Again there was encouraging success. Pleasant memories are cherished of the athletic events at the White City Stadium, the swimming at the Empire Pool in Wembley, the cycling at Manchester, and of the other battles for supremacy, scattered somewhat in location to enable a completion of the whole programme within a reasonable period. T° choose Sydney as the succeeding centre accorded with every decisive reason, for it placed the locale at a sufficient distance from the two places previously honoured, gave complimentary recognition to the eminent standard reached by Australia and New Zealand, and took advantage of the sesquicentennial celebrations in New South Wales, thus promoting a wide representation at the Games and bestowing an additional glamour on the festivities. The fortunes of New Zealand's representatives in the several contests at Sydney will be naturally followed with keen interest by their compatriots on thi;3 side, of the Tasman. In these islands is a widespread enthusiasm for athletic sports. This has been reflected in the high degree of attainment reached by well-remembered New Zealanders in diverse physical pastimes. The names of many come quickly to mind: Lovelock, a world champion and record - holder in distance running; Arnst, renowned in cycling and oarsmanship; Anthony Wilding, who had few equals in tennis; Lowry, a cricket blue at Cambridge and captain of its victorious team against Oxford in 1924; Fitzsimmons, famous heavyweight boxer, going from a blacksmith's forge at Timaru on a career culminating at the topmost rung of pugilism; Grimmett, born in this country and learning his cricket here, although Australia gave him ultimate eminence. All Black teams of Rugby footballers; cricketers on tour abroad, some of- them becoming welcome members of English county teams; golfers of outstanding skill; fine exponents of the gentler art of bowls; others expert in rifle marksmanship : the list lengthens without risk- of trailing into merely amateurish mediocrity. For a population relatively small, and remote from easy possibility of training amid great traditions, such products are remarkable; and:in their wake are younger aspirants likely to 4o as vwelL, '