The Washington herald., 1907-05-26
CARNIVAL OF SPORT
Olympic Games in England
Next Summer.
OPEN TO AMATEURS ONLY
Fourth of the Series of international
Sports Will Be Conducted on a GI-
Eantic Scale by the British AssocI-
ation-Wili Pay None of the Ex-
penses of the Competitors.

The Olympic games, which are to take
place in London in 1)OS, will form the
fourth OF the series OF Olympiads which
was inaugurated at Athens in 1895. and
continued at Parts In 1900. and st. Louis
In 1904. Olympic games are the chief fac
tor in the Olympic movement, which was
initiated in 1896 by Baron Pierre de Cou-
bertin, president of the International
Olympic Committee, In the hope that il
might perform for the modern world the
same services which were rendered to the
Hellenic communities by the Olympic
games Of Ellis.
The awakening Of interest in the Olym-
pic movement dates from the meeting OF
the international Olympic council in Lon
don In 1904 under the patronage Of his
majesty King Edward VII II was then
decided that the Olympiad Of 1908 should
be held in Rome The immediate outcome
Of this visit u the international Olympic
council was the proposal to found a
British olympic association in order 10
bring Great Britain into touch with the
Olympic movement, This association was
founded al a meeting held at the House
Of Commons in the summer OF 1905 when
". II. Grenfell, NJ. 2. now Lord Desbor-
ough, was elected chairman.
Plan of the Games.
A letter from Lord Desborough was
communicated TO the press. sketching the
proposals Of the association and laying
down the following principles on which
the games would be conducted,
That as many forms of sport be included
as may be practicable.
That the events be only TO bona ide am
ateurs,
That the council do not pay the expenses
Of any competitor whatever, either for
travelling or for residence In this country.
That the games be held In July, 1908.
That every competitor be officially en-
tered by the association controlling the
particular sport in which he is chosen TO
represent HIS country. and these entries be
limited in number for each event
That the prizes consist solely Of medals.
with the addition Of certain challenge
cups
IL was al the same time stated that a
proposal was under consideration whereby
the necessary buildings. tracks. inclos-
ures, and an arena for 10000 spectators
would be provided free Of expense to the
olympic association. together with a pro-
portion Of the receipts 10 90 toward the
other expenses connected with the games.
The British associations have agreed
that the metric system shall be used for
the measurement OF distances, as has
hitherto been the case IN the Olympic
games which have taken place at Athens.
Paris. and ST. Louis The total accom-
mediation for spectators. according 10 the
present plans, is 66.2SS The total cost Of
the stadium and executive committee Of
the Franco British necessary equipment.
as worked out by the exhibition. will
amount 20 $4,000. This stadium and the
racing tracks constructed for the Olympic
games are intended 10 be demolished at
the conclusion Of the exhibition. and 20
form no permanent addition 20 the ath-
letic grounds Of London.
Many Sports InCIuded.
The programmes I'm various sports are in
course Of elaboration. and will be pub
lished as soon as Il Is possible 10 com
plete them. The following sports are in
tended to be included. viz. Athletics.
archery, cycling. football. association and
Rugby; fencing, gymnastics. lacrosse.
lawn tennis, motoring. military riding.
polo, rife shooting rowing. swimming
wrestling, yachting, and II is probable
that others will be added. Arrangements
will probably also be made for winter
sports 10 he held during the same year.
and to be reckoned as an integral part Of
the Olympic games
It has been practically decided that the
proposed internationa. rowing regatta in
connection with the Olympic games shall
be held at Henley-on-Thames. at the end
of July, 1908. This means that Henley
will be the scene Of two rpgattas in one
month. The Amateur Rowing Association
of the United Kingdom Of Great Britain
and Ireland recommends that course of
two miles. If possible should be staked
out. There seems little doubt that this
idea will be acted on, although many
rowing men advocate the championship
course of the Thames tideway between
Putney and Mortlake as the fsirest and
most suitable course to decide events of
an International character.