El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-07-20
Officials
Antwerp


NEW YORK. July 2O.-President
N Gustavus Kirby. Of the American
Olympic committee, IS filled with
praise for the fine cooperation Of the
Belgian Olympic committee and the
American Army OF Occupation in con-
nection with the coming visit OF the
American team to Antwerp.
Kirby has just returned from a trip
70 Belgium. where he found a prepa-
rations under way that, because OF
their scope, frankly astound him On
landing here from Europe. he said:
Praises BeIEians.
7 am tremendously impressed with
the preparations made by the Bel
CLANS for the staging OF the seventh
Olympiad- Ny only fear is that
America VIII be unable TO live Up 70
our hosts expectations due 10 a lack
OF funds 10 properly finance the ath-
letic expedition. Our wonderful war
showing abroad has led all European
nations to expect that every future
American invasion VIII be conducted
upon a similar winning scale. The
Belgians have done wonderfully well
IN arranging details for our teams
convenience and apparently look for
the United States to sweep forward
to victory Just as our troops did IN
the Argonne forest
an confident that our athletes
VIII do this, providing they have
the necessary popular and ffuan-
cinl support. At present this
seems TO be the weakest link in
cur chain OF preparations, but
hope that when the public learns
all that the American Olympic
committee and the athletes are
doing II VII rally 20 our support
and assure success by providing
funds TO send sufficient entrants
TO maintain our proud athletic
records IN past OIympiads.o
President Kirby's statement that
the Belgians and Americas army Of
ficials abroad are working unceaslng-
" 10 make Americas participation a
complete success Is borne out by an
analysis OF his report During his
stay in Belgium the president OF the
committee completed almost every de-
tail necessary for the reception. hous-
Ing and training OF the score or more
teams which will represent this coun-
try IN the Olympic games. In these
efforts he was given every assistance
by both Belgian and Gems. Sage and
Allen OF the army OF occupation. and
United States ambassador Whitlock.
This cooperation on the part Of the
Z American government and the Bel
CLANS surpass any previous efforts
IN past Olympiads, Indicating clearly
the high plane OF friendly interna-
tional sport rivalry which was the
the original hope OF the pioneers and
! sponsors OF the contest
Good Quarters Obtained.
Through the courtesy and assist
snce Of the Belgian Olympic COM
mittee. Kirby was able to secure a
palatial school building IN the heart
Of Antwerp as the quarters for the
American teams The building. which
occupies an entire block. Is quadran-
gular in shape, enclosing a large cen
tra1. parl-lilze court Accommoda-
tons are available for some 400 ath-
letes with sleeping quarters for
teams, huge kitchens, mess halls,
shower baths and complete sanitary
ing equipment is to be supplied by the
Belgian committee The American
army headquarters at Coblenz viii
furnish scores OF army lorries to con-
vey the athletes to and from the
scene Of practice and competition
Training facilities viii he
avail able for the track and field
athletes at the Olympic stadium,
the Antwerp football park and an
immense aviation field not far
from the center OF the city.
Similar arrangements have been
completed for the swimmers,
olrameus f-ymuaEts, boxers, rgrest-
lers and other contestants For
the army polo, rifle and riding
teams special provision has been
made to give the Individual mem
bers every training benefit OF The
great army camp at COblenz.
In order that the competitors in
the various contests may have the
opportunity to witness their team
mates IN other events. the program IS
being arranged in such a way that
the contests will not overlap 10 any
extent Equal consideration IS being
shown FOR American tourists and
spectators who viii attend the games
Special sections OF seats in the grand
stand adjoining the royal boxes and
the finish line have been reserved by
the American Olympic committee for
their countrymen.
Housing accommodations have also
been secured in various sections Of
Antwerp for such spectators, and the