Olympic Games and the Duke of Westminster's appeal for £100,000

24
THE OLYMPIC GAMES.
of the fund to enable us to make a creditable
showing at Berlin. The Amateur Rowing Asso-
ciation alone has officially declined any par-
ticipation in the movement or in the fund ; but
rowing is, perhaps, the one sport in this country
in which training and organization are carried
nearest to perfection, and the Association itself
has no need of any assistance. It is to be noticed,
also, that some rowing men (like Mr. Theodore
Cook) are among the warmest advocates of the
scheme. For the rest, it is not unjust to say
that expert opinion and the sentiment of all
those who have been at all in touch with the pro-
gress of events, is unanimous on one side, while
criticism is based chiefly on a dislike of the Olympic
Games at all, growing out of a conservative,
if honourable, devotion to the old careless tradi-
tions of British Sport which served us so well
when we were the only sport-loving people.
THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE'S STATEMENT.
In behalf of the Special Committee Mr. J. E. K.
Studd contributed to the discussion a general
survey of the situation, which dealt with the various
points which had been raised in criticism of the
appeal for funds. His letter, published on Septem-
ber 5, was as follows :—
On behalf of the Special Committee for the Olympic
Games, Berlin, 1916, may I say a few words with
regard to (1) the question at issue ; (2) the pro-
cedure adopted; and (3) the expense involved ?
(1) The first and vital question is, Is Great Britain
to be represented at Berlin or not ? ' Whatever
opinion one may personally hold of the value or
evil of modern Olympic Games, other nations—our
competitors in the world's business—have adopted
them, and are displaying them to the world as a
test of national efficiency. It is too late to find
fault with Olympic Games and conditions. They
have been imposed on us, and we must act accord-
ingly. Were it possible to start
de novo
much that
opponents to the appeal have urged would have great
weight. But now we are not in the fortunate posi-
tion of being able to choose our path. Had the British
cause been adequately represented at Stockholm
the nation might conceivably have withdrawn
from future contests, but now such a course is not
open to us.
It was not so much the lack of success in the
respective events which made Stockholm a
"
national
disaster " as the too evident lack of careful and
organized effort. It was this that so unfavourably
impressed the world in general, and this country
in particular. The appeal for funds is made in
order that every possible care may be taken to
avoid a similar misfortune happening at Berlin;
also to prevent any justification for the excuse
that Great Britain has the men but cannot equip
them so that they shall do her and themselves justice.
Those who for any cause do not recognize such
national obligation will not contribute and will
continue, if they think well, to oppose the effort.
The appeal has been made, and continues to be
made, to those who are convinced that Great Britain
must be represented at Berlin and represented by
her best men.
(2) PROCEDURE
.—The next question is what to
do and how to do it. Here again it is not possible
to have a free hand. Time does not permit a
reconstruction of our athletic organizations, even
if such a course were deemed advisable, which we
do not admit. We should be " swapping horses
while crossing the stream." All that is possible
is to support, encourage, and inspire existing govern-
ing bodies of sports to do their utmost, and then
to co-ordinate the result of their efforts into a
national representation.
The question of amateur and professional status
of what can or cannot be done will and must rest
with the governing bodies themselves, and not
with the Special Committee The appeal for and
granting of funds does not affect the matter. Change
in any amateur definition could only be induced
by the pressure of public opinion on the governing
bodies of the sports concerned.
The Special Committee would welcome any
definition of an amateur which would receive the
approval of all nations competing in the Olympic
Games. But preparations cannot be delayed till
this ideal definition is framed.
It has been suggested that sport is not democratic
and that the fund asked for is to encourage snobbery.
It is hard to reconcile this statement with facts :—
(a) That of the nine A.A.A. Championships
retained by this country seven were won by repre-
sentatives of the people who were not university
men.
(b) That the Amateur Rowing Association,
whose definition of an amateur is objected to, has
officially declined to be identified with the fund.
It is, of course, those who have least money to
spend on sport who will derive most help from
the fund. One aim of the fund is to give the " man
in the street " the benefit of the expert training
and advice which hitherto have been beyond his
reach.
(3) THE EXPENSE.—The dissatisfaction expressed
at the Stockholm arrangements and results was
so widespread that negotiations were entered into
with the British Olympic Council for the formation
of a Special Committee. This Committee was in-
augurated in March last. It was appointed to receive
and administer a fund to be raised by public appeal.
The Committee made a preliminary survey of the
situation by asking each sports governing body
to submit for consideration an " ideal scheme "
to ensure the best possible representation at Berlin
of its own sport. The Committee found:—
(a) That with the exception of rowing and
football no association possessed funds for Olympic
affairs, though each was officially represented
on the British Olympic Council. This position
was�-well expressed by the hon. treasurer of the
A.A.A.:—" The point I wish to make clear is that
the A.A.A. have no funds for the purpose of
Olympic Games, and I as hon. treasurer have
no authority to expend our funds -in that
direction."
(b) That there existed no organization for ascer-
taining results and developing athletics as a whole
with a view to achieving the best results.
(c) That though in cricket and rowing great care
was taken to train boys and men so that they should
acquire correct style and methods, and so make the
best use of their powers, no such attention was
given to athletics and other branches of sport.
As a consequence boys in public and other schools
and lads in business houses and elsewhere were
acquiring styles that were not good, developing
muscles that were useless, and often injuring
themselves for lack of skilled advice.
(d) That the " ideal schemes " submitted to
them called for a sum of over £39,000, apart from