OLYMPIC GAMES

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20409, 28 January 1938, Page 6

OLYMPIC GAMES

The French count who played such a prominent part in the establishment of the Olympic Games hoped that they would prove to be a bond of friendship between the nations. He never anticipated that their economic aspect would ever be worthy of consideration, but such is the case. The last Games were held near Berlin and the Germans made no secret of the fact that they hoped to obtain many millions of marks in foreign credits. The competitors have to spend large sums and the visitors help to swell the receipts. After the Games the Germans admitted that the receipts had not come up to expectations, but it is known that they did obtain substantial credits abroad and that these funds were of great value at the time. The next Games will be held in Japan, and there was some talk about the venue being changed because of the hostilities in the Far East. However, the Japanese authorities have expressed their intention to stage one of the best Olympiads in history. Again the prospect of securing substantial foreign credits must have been a factor. Japan stands in need of them, and the Games should have the effect of bringing large numbers of athletes and spectators to the country. Their financial provisions will constitute credits that will become available to the Japanese. In that way the Games have assumed an importance never even contemplated when they were first organised.