Aug. 17.
Germany has every reason to heave a sigh of relief and deep satisfaction at the successful com= pletion of the Olympic Games of 1936, The organization involved in the elaborate arrangements to which Germany so whole-heartedly committed herself has demanded high qualities of efficiency, enthusiasm, tact, and discipline. On all points Germany has been equal to the demands made upon her. She hi done more: In former Olympi Games—from 1896, the year of their modern revival, onwards—German competitors "have been' It is also painfully overshadowed by representatives of other nationalities. Like Great Germany was slow indevelgenerated has to be paid for by aping an interest in the Games, the honour for the revival of which goes to the first president of the International Olympic Games Committee, Baron Pierre de Coubertin whose' mantle fell happily on the shoulders of another French sportsman, Count Baillet-Latour. Ger~ many was to have staged the sixth intervened and those games were
Antwerp, they were resumed as the seventh of the series, in conditions of dim culty but producing such remarkably satisfactory, standard of achievement that thenceforward international enthusiasm [became firmly mobilized. The eighth Olympic Games at Paris in 1924, the ninth at Amsterdam in 1928 and the tenth at Los Angeles in 1932, showed a crescendo of interest and proficiency. In all these contests German athletes played a modest part. The startling achieve~ ment which has placed Germany at the head of the unoficlal roll of /honour this year is therefore all the more creditable. It will be hailed by all nations as a fully-earned reward for a truly hospitable con~ tribution to international sport. The United States of America has 30 consistently shone in these Games that her easy leadership of the visitors would hardly evoke comment, were it not that the American victories have been exceptionally brilliant and convineing. Her wonderful team of Jathietes. have demonstrated once again that in all-round prowess they still can challenge the world, Naturally the Marathon Race at~ tracts major attention because of the traditions honoured in the Olympic Games and the intrinsic merit of the race as a test of endurance and stamina, Japan—disappointed perhaps at the strong Jencroachment on her swimming honours by Holland, in particular has considerable ground for satisfaction in Kiteo Son's victory in the Marathon—a victory which was all the sweeter because Sharyu Nan, another young Korean runner, was separated from the winner only by the Englishman [Ernest Harper who came in second. Apart from Germany and the United States of America, other nations divided honours' among themselves with reasonable evenness, Between Hungary, Italy, Finland, Sweden, France, Holland, Great Britain, Japan and Austria there has been little to choose in the tale of points earned. Close fon their heels came another group of countries, thus amply showing. the amazing development of sport. throughout the world. India—on the third successive occasion—asserted her supremacy at hockey. China, making a real showing for the first time, found the cupboard bare. but experience means much in th contests. Moreover it is under st that the Chinese team were unfor~ tunate in losing some of their best entrants by indisposition. The athletes who have a long distance to go are under a clear disadvantage—Japan must note this when she is inclined to be severely critical of her swimmers, There is much in acclimatization and the expert American trainers were disposed to be highly critical of the British team's disregard of that factor by postponing their arrival in Berlin until the last minute.
The sporting festival thus brought to @ successful conclusion after a fortnight's pageantry of brawn, sinew and grace, has rendered notable service. In the past the clash of international rivalry in sport has sometimes raised animosities which have compelled critics to ask whether such meet ings do not harm rather than improve international relationships. Determined efforts by the various Olympic Committees and the inculation of the competitors more firmly with the true spirit of sportsmanship have done much to dissipate those fears, There has been a gratifying absence of really Serious controversy. Once or twice the note of interrogation has been trifle vocal, but it is safe to say that this meeting has been freer from "incidents" than any of its predecessors, Lord Aberdare, himself a fine exponent of the grand old game of tennis—not the Wim-bredon varlety—and a good all-ind_ sportsman, has borne testimony to the spirit which has prevailed. He may have gone beyond his brief in referring to the political significance of the present regime in Germany and it will be admitted that most of the visiting teams—especially the American, British Jand French—have disclaimed concern with any but athletic and social issues. Nor will it be denied that national policies can hardly be deflected or modified by setting young men and young women on
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.