The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-07-22
SULL|vAN'S GREAT
OLYMPIC SCHEME
WOULD ORGANIZE AMERICAN AS
ISOLATION TO RAISE FUNDS
FOR ATHLETES EXPENSES.
LESSONS OF NEE 7
JIMMIE THORPE REFUSES TO AC-
cEPT ORDERS OF THE KING OF
SWEDEN AND PASSES
HIM TT.

LONDON, July 21.--Com missioner
Sullivan. who landed from the liner
Finland with the American athletes
at Dover today. gave the correspond
emit of the International News service
the following statement concerning
the plans for raising funds for the
rext Olympiad.
AS soon as I return TO America,
he said, II intend to organize the
American Olympic association, which
shall do away will. the necessity OF
appealing to citizens to contribute
funds for the purpose OF sending a
team to the next Olympic meeting.
A membership fee of So Will b.
charged annually. and with member
ship will go distinctive button.
Each year different button will be
used, showing how many years each
member has contributed TO the funds
OF the society.
II believe that, in this way, in
view of the great success of the Amer
lean team at Stockholm, We can get
at least 100000 members, and thus
insure fund which not only Will
take the team to Berlin, but VIII also
pay all preliminary expenses OF train
ing, leaving a comfortable sum in the
treasury and ohviating the necessity
of calling upon government or any
other sources for aid.
Lessons Taught.
We are all greatly pleased at the
outcome of the Stockholm meet, but
II has taught several lessons First.
that at the international committee
SaA hntd m
tvo wears we must formulate sta nd
ard o. elements for Olympiads, thus
doing away with allowing the country
ia which the meeting Ia held TO enter
e1trts in which other nations do not
c6mrete and allowing the running
up % an enormous number or points
witch should not be considered in the
Olympic games.
Another thing we have learned Is
20 separate the social side meets from
athletics. BY this | mean there mas'
he rt, more crossing on chartered I'M
eys with a society crowd on board II
looks fine, ! admit. but there has been
constant friction among the athietef
ana besides. this FIVE weeks Is too
long for the athletes TO i've on snip
board
Thorpe Turns Down King.
On the voyage OF the Finland 10
povst ID was learned that on the day
g, leaving port the king OF Sweden
sent an equerry on board 10 take
James Thorp. the haifbreed lndiar
who won the pentathlon and decatn'
Ion. to the royal palace, and tha'
Thorpe refused to GO. This was prop
abiv the first time In history that ar
American or anyone else has refused
4 roval command OF this character
especially as II was reported mat the
king wished to give Thorpe decora'
zion for his wonderful work in win
,inx both events which stamped hin
en- The greatest all-rouud athlete IL
,ha world When the gold brh'oec
anu bedecked equerry boarded th'
ship 10 give Thorpe the royal sum
mons. the Indian looked sheepish FOL
moment. tried 10 dig his toe int'
the deck. pondered the matter deep
Nv. md nnaily replied:
II guess I won't go.
Commissioner sullivan. who learn
Oh of this incident after the FINLAND
sailed, was Mortified at such oreacf
Of etiquette. and remarked regard
iug the Indian;
let u. hope his majesty has son
sense Of humor-