FINLAND IN A FURY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17918, 24 October 1932, Page 4

FINLAND IN A FURY

1000 DEMONSTRATE AGAINST BAN HELSINGFORS, Finland, Aug. 9. A thousand irate Finns gathered outside (lie headquarters of an important Swedish electrical firm here this after noon, booing and cat-calling at Mr. Edstrol, the. manager, who happens to be a Swedish representative of the International Amateur Athletic Federation. This is only one aspect of the widespread national indignation over the decision of tho federation at Los Angeles, confirmed-this afternoon, to exclude from the Olympic Gaipcs Paavo Nurmi. Sporting circles, tho press,- arid tho public, are unanimous in their demand that the entire Finnish delegation should withdraw from the Games. Tho Finnish Athletic Federation, however, has cabled to its representatives at Los Angeles to .“make up your own minds.” Tho International Federation’s action is described .as- ‘‘small-minded.” If Nurmi is guilty of "professionalism” now, so also was he at the Paris Olympic Games eight years ago, it is claimed. ‘‘Nurmi’s suspension is a slap in the face not only for Nurmi, but for Finland,” 1 states "Sanomat,” tho -loading ’Helsingfors daily; aewspger*