BADLY MANAGED

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10687, 6 September 1920, Page 6

BADLY MANAGED

THE OLYMPIC GAMES UNSEEMLY ANTAGONISM OF BELGIANS. SPORTING* SPIRIT LACKING. By Telegraph-Press Assn?—Copyright Australian and NA. Cable Association. (Received September 5, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, September 3. The Australian and New Zealand Press representative at the Olympic Games states that there has been much adverse criticism of the management of the games, Tho blunders were chiefly due to inexperience in dealing with a big, complicated organisation, inability to cope with the difficulties inevitably arising. Some of the judges, starters, and other officials were amateurish and inefficient. The starter in the swimming events was ' deposed owing to many false starts. Tho Belgian spectators were violently partisan, and especially antagonistic towards the British. Wildly enthusiastic, demonstrations followed every Belgian" success. Hootings sometimes greeted the con querore of Belgian competitors. There Vaa a notable absence of sporting spirit among the competitors from several nations, but tho clean, generous, and sportsmanlike spirit of Swedes and Finns impressed ono. In respect to Australia’s failure, it was stated that Australia should follow America’s example by sending a larger number ,of competitors, and giving them longer training on the scene. The Australian swimmers found the water, very cold, land were unable to strike form. -