OLYMPIC GAMES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20044, 6 September 1920, Page 5

OLYMPIC GAMES.

PARTISAN BELGIANS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association, LONDON, September 3, Tii'o Australian and New Zealand Press Association representative at tho Olympic Games states that there has been much adverse priticism of the management. Tho blunders were chiefly duo to inexperience in dealing with a big complicated organisation and inability to copo with the difficu.tios inevitably arising. Some of the judges, starters and other officials were amateurish and inefficient. The starting in the swimming events was. deplorable owing to tho many false starts. Tho* Belgian spectators were violently partisan and especially antagonistic towards tho British. Wildly enthusiastic demonstrations followed every Belgian success, and bootings sometimes greeted the cdbqucr’ois of Belgian competitors. There was a notable absence of sporting spirit among tho competitors from several nations, but the clean generous,, sportsmanlike spirit of the Swedes and Finns impressed one. In respect of Australia’s failure it. was stated that Australia should follow America’s example by sending a larger number of competitors and giving them longer training on the segno. Australian swimmers found the water very coid and were unable to strike form.