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FRANCE MIGHT FORCE
"OPEN" WORLD SPORT
By H. A. de LACY
NO surprise will be occasioned by the French proposal to
abolish for all time Hie distinction between amateurs and
professionals in Hie sporting arena. Such a move, if
world-wide, could have very beneficial effects, though it
would cause a readjustment of existing competitions.
T
HE French plan is that all
sport shall be nationalised
au4 that -competitors "be
compensated tor loss ot time, .due
to training and competition, ,,
France, in seeking to nationalise
her sportsmen, is striking «E the
roots of established pre-war'ltttfernational
competition. The' 'Darts
Cup and the Olympic Games In
particular would =be affected by
the move.
In most of the war-ravaged
countries of Europe sport is being
advanced as a medium of postwar
reconstruction. '-.There Is
none so financially independent
that he can any longer maintain
the distinction of the amateur.
Government assistance seems
necessary to the re-establishment
3f sport, and In making allowances
to national athletes' Governments
will naturally destroy
their amateur status.
France has recognised this.
Russia, slncr&iei7,has taken no.
part in amateur. sport and has
Bude It a practice to^ive bonuses
and to subsidise prominent
athletes.
The Olympic Games might,
' in the final show-down,' be
whittled down to a competi-
. £ion between English speaking
people, for the amateur ideal is
still strongly cherished among
English stock.
The amateur athlete, internationally,
has long been suspect
due to the amount of travelling
expenses granted and the now
well re.cognised practice of
"dares," such as a £500 "dare"
that a chalk line cannot be
jumped over.
Further, many people have
wondered why a professional
runner can play amateur golf
and- a professional jockey can he
an amateur billlardlst. There are
two' definitions of' amateurism
—that recognised by the. Inter
national Olympic Federation;
which is very rigid and binding
and, governs all Olympic • sports;
and. tne domestic ruling givenin
such sportsss football, cricket,
tertnts. golf and racing:
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