CHRISTIANITY AND SPORT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 9 November 1907, Page 3

CHRISTIANITY AND SPORT.

a ' Can "a professional athlete be a Christion? Hi is question lias often been asked before. O. 11. Jiruok, the New South Wales cycling champion, who returned on lAiuuer after a six months' tour through luiropc. emphatically says ".No," and, at the same time, gives the true reason for his retirement from the sport of cycling, in which lie lias helil Mich a prominent position for the past four years. "1 went to Europe to win cycling championships." stated the relumed athlete to a representative of tin- Daily Ti.igraph, " but I've won something greater. I'm now a Christian. I am absolutely through with professional sport. As 1 staled yesterday, I'll never race again. I've been struggling for | years to become a Christian, and my trip lias decided me. I'm a Christian now, and feel a different man for it. I'm quite satisfied that a man cannot be a professional athlete and a Christian too, and I have relinquished cycleracing for over. I will always carry this little book with me," added Brook, showing with profound pleasure a book called "Daily Light." "It was presented to me when I was lcvvTng (Tic noat yesterday. My motto through life is to be —' Watch ye, stand fast in the faith. Quit ye like men, be strong.' For a young follow professional sport is no good. As soon as a race is won, you want to live on the game. I know that was the way with me. "When I was in Melbourne on Sunday I saw several of my old companions of the cycle path. I told them my future intentions, and some of them remarked, 'You :jre mad!' and thev laughed heartily. Ilowovor, lie who laughs last laughs best. I know what I am doing. Let them have their laugh—l suppose a lot of people will inugh—it won't hurt me. I've found a new life." "When did you decide to become a Christian?" "On 20th Septenibcr, on the billows. Two days later, as I was coming from service oil the boat, a bookmaker, -who li.nl kr j, mo ;i> a racing cyclist, remarked, 'What, you been to church, you hypocriteV I explained my future intentions to him, but he hardly treated them seriously. I went through the slums of Cenoa, Berlin, Copenhagen, and elsewhere, and the fact was brought home to me conclusively that I ought to be a Christian. 1 wont homo on the Yorck. and returned on the Tiuloiv, with Mr. Proctor, a member of the Y.M.C.A. in Cliristclmrch, Xow Zealand, and this gentleman practically won me over to Christianity when I was wavering. "Professional sport is no good to anyone/' continued Brook, "and my experience n ay keep many a young fellow out of it. If it was fair and square it would be all rights but it isn't. There is no legitimate employment open to a professional athlete when bis prowess lias d.parted. Major Taylor is a Christian, but then the promoters run after him. "Although dropping out of cycling, I will always take an interest in' what is a fine, healthy exorcise and a good sport," concluded Brook. "I have to thank the officers of the League of Wheelmen, who have done a lot for jne." Yesterday afternoon Brook, in company with Mr. Aliek McNeil, a prominent member of the Y.M.C.A.. called upon Mr. L. C. Cranna, the acting-general secretary of that organisation, of which he intends to become a member.