THE 1940 GAMES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 222, 19 September 1936, Page 4

THE 1940 GAMES

JAPAN’S GREAT PLANS IMPORTANCE OF OLYMPIC ACTIVITY Writing from Berlin to the Christian Science Monitor under date of August 14 last, Mr. R. Maillard Stead said:— 1 had quite a long talk with Prof. Jigoro Kano, senior Japanese delegate to the International Olympic I Committee, whose persistent advocacy lin his quiet, Oriental tones did so much to secure for Japan the honour of organising the 1940 Olympic Games. “Our success in obtaining the games gives us particular pleasure," he said, “because there is now a great opportunity for the Olympic movement to gather power in the East. We in Japan are separated geographically I from the Western world, but we have a great national enthusiasm for sport, which brings about close friendships between the young men and women of various nations and helps to give them that understanding of each other which is essential to the peace of the world.’’ Common Interest “It would be difficult to overesli mate the value of the games in these times," continued Professor Kano, gravely, “for they really do provide a held of common interest. It is easy for diplomats and statesmen to make contacts. But it is not easy for ordinary men and women, of different races, colours, politics and creeds to do so. In the games, however, the participants really get together. International misunderstandings are largely the outcome of ignorance which Olympic meetings do much to dispel. At an impressionable period of their lives, the athletes meet as friends and learn to respect one another and one another’s viewpoints, and there is no telling what effect for good this experience of theirs may have when, as many of them do, they rise to positions of influence in the administration of their own couni tries.” Profesor Kano went on, “To us in Japan, it is particularly gratifying that the games should come our way in 1940, because that year is for us a milestone in national history. We are to have great civic celebrations, and I can asure you all the people who come to the Olympics, as competitors, officials or spectators, will have an unforgettable experience Since Japan first gave her support to the Olympic Games, she has advanced very considerably in international sport. And we feel that, by that support and by the measure of our success already at the game, we had some claim to the distinction of being the next country entrusted with the organisation of them.” Ambition in Sports Professor Kano’s observations as to Japan’s prowess in many realms ol sport have been borne out by the brilliant showing of Nipponese athletes here. Formerly, a Japanese competitor who held his own in the highest grade of international competition was a rarity. But now the

Japanese offer formidable competition right through the Olympic programme. The unexpected and sweeping success of their swimmers at Los Angeles seems to have fired the youth of the entire nation with ambition in sports . . . and that explains their vastly improved showing on the track, in field events, boat races and many other Olympic contests as well.