THE OLYMPIAD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18906, 5 July 1923, Page 4

THE OLYMPIAD.

IMPORTANT CONFERENCE AT ROME. \l'hat will probably prove to be one ot the moat momentous meetings of the international Olympic Committee has just been conoluded in Rome. Almost every nation of any significance in the sporting world was represented. The countries represented were:—Great Britain, France. America, Italy Belgium, Portugal, Egypt, Switzerland" Hungary, Brazil, Russia, Jugo-Slavia, Poland Irish Free State, Luxembourg, Finland, Norway. Sweden, Denmark, Czechoslovakia arid Central America,., Delegates were also present from Morocco, Algiers, and Tunis, but took no part m any debate, except on the question of the proposed African games, neither hadi ' they power to, Vor did they. vote. A matter that engaged attention was the question of athletes being paid for “broken time.” One of the Swedish representatives raised this question, which was strongly opposed by Great Britain, which in effect said that it was far better to be a straighout professional than an amateur "paid under the lap.” This opinion was shared generally by i( the other members, and a resolution was carried as follows: That the payment of players or athletes either during the lime they are preparing for the games, or while the games are actually in progress, for broken time is contrary to the fundamental principles ot amateurism in particular and of the Olympic movement in general, and therefore, under any circumstances whatever, bo permitted. A controversial discussion arose _on the question of inviting Germany to join inter* national Olympic Committee again. Great Britain. France. America, Belgium, Italy, and Portugal took the same view, which was that rio matter how much they fjprh-cd from the big point of view, to so© the athletes of every country in the world taking part in the Olympic games, the time bad vet yet arrived when the Germans should he invited to join the 1.0. C. or take part in the games.