INTERNATIONALISM OF SPORT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19961, 20 November 1934, Page 14

INTERNATIONALISM OF SPORT

CROWN PRINCE OF SWEDEN OPTIMISTIC “Everything possible must now be done to attain a better understanding, a closer comradeship between the nations. I believe that the modem form of sports competitions that has been internationally developed has greatly contributed toward this aim.” These worlds were uttered in the opening speech of Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf of Sweden at the recent congress in Stockholm of the International Amateur Athletic Federation. “Young people who meet at the competitions must certainly become friends or learn to understand each other better.” the Crown Prince said. “A fundamental condition. however, naturally is that the international competitions are carried through in a spirit of fairness. Otherwise the result is unsatisfactory and the opposite effect to what we strive for is the result. The athletic movement is free and independent when carried on by free and independent people. A voluntary discipline is necessary to prevent the whole thing from losing its value and from disintegrating. The leaders must be both just and severe, and the members must be faithful to the common cause.” The Crown Prince, himself an ardent and all-round sportsman, has done much to raise Swedish athletes to their present high standard. He was one of the founders of Sweden’s Athletic Federation, and acted as its president until recently, when he was succeeded in this post by his eldest son. Prince Gustaf Adolf, who is also a keen sportsman and one of Sweden’s best horsemen. The grand old man of the International Federation also is a Swede, Mr Sigrid Edstrom. for years the president of the federation and one of its most powerful supporters.