The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-04-21
THE OLYMPIC. GAMES
ATTRACTING INTEREST
Capacity of 10000.

LONDON. April 2o.-The Olympic
Games, which are to take place in Lon
don In 1908. will form tho fourth OF
inaugurated at Athens in 1896. and
continued at Paris In 1900, and st.
Louis In 1904. olympic Games are
tho chief factor in tho Olympic move
ment. which was initiated in 1896 by
Baron Pierre de Coubertin. president
OF the international Olympic commit
tee. in the hope that 1t might per-
form for tho modern world tho same
services which were rendered to the
Hellenic communities by the Olympic
Games Of Ellis. Tho movement is,
however, intended to include, besides
athletic sports. contests in art, litGrn-
ture, music. etc, and periodical con-
ferences on physical education and
development. Suck conferences were
held with considerable success at
Havre in 1897, and Brussels in 1905.
During the early summer of 1905 it
was announced that the Olympiad pro-
posed for Rorno in 1908 was. owing to
local reasons. impossible In that city,
and that the International Olympic
Council had addressed 10 tho British
Olympic Association, through Lord
Desborough, an invitation to undertake
this Olympiad. The first step taken
by the British Olympic Association on
receipt of this invitation was to adj
dress q circular tosthe associations
governing sport In England. asking for
their opinion upon the proposal. BY
the middle OF November, favorable re-
W.T. gS.ao (N,nI fr0r f1,ea
great majority OF the associations and
official representatives appointed.
resolution was passed at the council
meeting held on November 18th that
these Olympic Games he held in Lon.
don. After mature deliberations. the
following principles, on which the
games would be conducted. were agreed
upon:
az That as many forms Of sport be-
included as may be practicable.
(2) That the events be only open to-
,bonafidc amateurs.
(3) THAT the council do not pay the OK
penses OF any competitor whatever, either
for travelling or for residence In this
country.
(i) THAT the games DO held in July,
(5) That every competitor be officially
entered by the association controlling
the particular sport IN winch ne IL CHI
sen to represent his country, and these
entries be limited in number for each
event.
(e) That the prizes consist solely Of
medals, with the addition OF certain chal-
lenge cups.
In accordance with the principles laid
down, letters were sent to the members,
Of the International Olympic Committee
in tho various countries, requesting them
to take all necessary measures to insure
the participation Of their fellow country
men In the Oympiad In london. In re-.
Spouse, committees have been formed.
or are In process Of being formed, IN
France, Germany. Italy, Belgium, Eiol-
land, Greece, Sweden, Denmark, Bohemia,
ID Hungary, Switzerland, Bulgaria and
the United States Of America.
All details for the erection of a stadium,
with capacity Of nearly 10000, have
been arranged. The cost OF this immense
structure will approximate something
over $4,000, 900. Which sum Will include
the cost OF all necessary equipments, at
tendants. etc The following sports will
be included on the elaborate program,
which Is now in the hands OF a conl-
mittec: Athletics, archery, cycling, foot
ball (Associatlon and Rugby. fencing
gymnastics. lacrosse, lawn tennis. motor
| Ing, military riding, polo. rifle shooting,
Growing, swimming, wrestling and yacht
| Ing 1t Is probable that others will bn
added It has been practically decided
that the proposed international rowing
reyetta in connection with the Olympic