THE OLYMPIC GAMES.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18145, 20 December 1928, Page 9

THE OLYMPIC GAMES.

SUGGESTION BY MB AMOS. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, Dec. 19. Mr H. Amos, manager of the New Zealand Olympic team, in the course of his report on the Amsterdam Olympiad, suggests a radical reduction in the number of events and the simplL fication of the games. On this point ho says: “At Amsterdam there were twelve branches of sport, which took a fortnight to decide, but prior to this there were AVinter sports and various team games-soccer, lacrosse, hockey, polo, etc. —in which comparatively few, countries are interested. These necessitate an army of managers, coaches, massuers, trainers, doctors, nurses, chaperons, journalists and other officers, and thus involve elaborate preparations and organisation. Comparatively few can afford the time and expense demanded to participate in the games ns at present constituted. Unless the International Olympic Committee is prepared to face' the situation boldly and reduce- very considerably the present programme. I see little hope of the permanent continuance of the Olympic games. “Continuing Mr Amos declared that adequate financing of the teams should ho a matter for tlio Government. This lmd been recognised by a number of countries for some time, notably, France, Germany, Canada and the United States. For New Zealand it Avould only he a matter of approximatelv £SOOO, every four years, or £1250 per‘annum. Such an investmentwould return so satisfactory a dividend that its merits would quickly be appreciated.”