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

32 THE OLYMPIC GAMES.
Athletes, who shall receive special training and
advice.
7. To make a grant for administrative expenses
in carrying out the above.
In addition to the above as part of the Amateur
Athletic Association scheme already approved there
would be :—
(a) Olympic Novice Trials (50 events in the two
years).
(b)
The holding of a triple international contest.
NATIONAL CYCLISTS' UNION.
The following is the suggested scheme of prepara-
tion for the National Cyclists' Union :—
l.—C
ENTRES.
The division of the country into districts with
honorary Olympic Games representatives appointed
for each district.
2.—
T
RAINING.
Honorary Advisory Training Committee to super-
vise training arrangements.
Professional trainers to be appointed in London,
Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle, Bristol.
and other towns. A special trainer (with assist-
ance) to be appointed for road racers. These
trainers to work under the direction of the Honorary
Training Committee.
3.—
S
TANDARD
M
EDALS.
British Olympic Medals to be offered to all riders
who accomplish certain standards at or near
Olympic distances subject to the following condi-
tions :—
(a) That the British Olympic Medals are for
events that would form part of the programme
at Berlin in 1916 ;
(b) That the standards are so approximately
near record as to make them sought after by
those who will be suitable representatives at
Berlin ;
(c) That in all cases the conditions of the races
should approximate as nearly as possible to
those which will be in force at Berlin, such as
cement track, &c.
4.—
R
EGISTRATION.
That after accomplishing a standard ride the
rider be placed under the guidance of the Honorary
Advisory Committee, who will advise as to future
work under the direct supervision of professional
trainers, who will be paid by arrangement.
5.—
S
CRATCH
R
ACES.
That National Cyclists' Union centres be urged
to organize independently or through approved
clubs scratch races at Olympic distances both
on road and path for likely competitors, and that
financial assistance be given for prizes.
6.—
N
ATIONAL
T
RIALS.
That each year the best riders compete together
in National Olympic Trials. This meeting to
be considered a Championship Meeting and that
the cyclists of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales be
invited to compete, and that one event at least
shall be open to the whole world; such meeting
to be guaranteed against loss up to a limited
amount.
7.—
F
OREIGN
R
ACES.
That selected riders be sent abroad to compete
in the World's Championships and also in approved
races.
S
.—
F
INAL
T
RAINING.
Prior to the Olympic Games of Berlin the nomi-
nated representatives compete in National Olympic
Trials, arrangements to be made for strict training
before the trials and the trials to be in ample time
before the entries close. One month before
the Berlin Games to be devoted to strict training
in England and Berlin.
9.—
R
OAD
T
RIAL.
That a trial road event (240 kilometres) be run
each year under the auspices of the National
Cyclists' Union.
10.—
C
O-OPERATION OF
S
COTLAND AND
I
RELAND.
That the National Cyclists' Union should
co-operate with the Scottish Cyclists' Union and
the Irish Cyclists' Association.
AMATEUR FENCING ASSOCIATION.
1. The Amateur Fencing Association, being a
society of encouragement, as well as a governing
body, is of opinion that no special scheme is wanted
to supplement its ordinary activities in this direction,
but every eff ort will be made to discover and encourage
fresh fencing talent.
2. For the same reason no special scheme is wanted
for the preparation and training of fresh fencing
talent as distinguished from other fencing talent ;
but, when the date of the Games approaches, the
following general scheme should be put in hand
with a view to providing the best possible represen-
tation :—
(a) It is essential that for one month before the
Games take place the representatives finally selected
should be provided with professional instructors ;
one for each of the three weapons, foil, epee, and sabre.
These instructors should be obtained from the Con-
tinent. Accommodation for these instructors to
carry on their work would have to be secured in the
London Fencing Schools or Clubs.
If any of the fencing at Berlin takes place out-of-
doors on a gravel " terrain " (as the A.F.A. strongly
urges should be the case with the epee at any rate)
a suitable practice ground should be provided in a
central situation in London.
(b)
It is advisable that the above scheme should
commence two months before the Games, not one ;
in which case it would, of course, be applied to all
" possible " and " probable representatives until
the final selection is made, after which it would apply
solely to the actual representatives.
(c) It is desirable, should funds permit, that the
above scheme should commence three months before
the Games, not two.
AMATEUR SWIMMING ASSOCIATION.
1. The institution of Swimming Scholarships so
as to assist the more promising boys and girls to
continue their swimming training after leaving
school.
2. Arrangements whereby the services of amateurs
of experience may be enlisted to advise and instruct
in special strokes. Also to arrange for expert
amateurs to give exhibitions at school swimming
entertainments.
3.
The appointment of professional instructors
skilled in the various swimming strokes.
4.
The encouragement of High and Fancy Diving.
5.
Time tests are to be arranged in each of the
five districts of the Association. A schedule of times
in three grades has been fixed, and candidates who
succeed in these tests are to receive the Gold, Silver,
or Bronze badges of the Association.
The Management Committee appointed to control
the working of the scheme have got out the following
estimate of the amounts that will be required for the
first year's working :-
1. Scholarships .. £1001
2. Expenses of expert amateurs for exhibitions
at School Galas .. .. .. ..
I
l0a