The Connecticut labor news., 1921-01-28
NO HOPE OF OLYMPICS
 BEING HELD HERE NEXT
 OR IN THE NEAR FUTURE
Paris or Rome Likely Place in 1924-America Shut Out by Force of Numbers,

The 1924 Olympic games will not be held Ill the, United States, nor will any ot the succeeding Olympiads be con tested here unless the present method of awarding the big international meet undergoes decided change There has been no official announcement as to the site Of the next world athletic carnival. and there will be none until next June. but 1t was learned this week that when our representatives go abroad to at tend the international conference next summer they will carry no hope what ever of the games being awarded to this country.
 This statement is likely to dampen the ardor of those progressive spirits m 1T: such cities as Los Angeles, Atlantic City, Boston, and others who have planned to bid for the games, but facts IS facts,' and if they are faced now means to overcome the difficult ties which prevent the holding of the games may be found.
 he situation IS as follows: Thirty seven countries are represented on the international Olympic committee, which will meet at Lucerne, Switzerland, i'll
 June tor the express purpose of mak- ing the 1924 award. A two-thirds ma Jorlty IS necessary to reach decision, and practically every foreign repre- sentative IS opposed to awarding the games to this country
 Not On Executive Committee
 Americas delegation is composed of Prot. w. M. Sloan, Justice Barlow 5. Weeks and Allison V. Armour. all able men who have done much for amateur sport, but we have no repre- sentatlon on the executive committee, which IS as follows:
 President, Count H. de Baillet-Le- teur, Belgium.
 Vlce-presidents, Baron de Layeleye. Belgium, and E. Osterrieth.
 General secretary, A. Verdyck.
 Reporting secretary, R. w. Seeldray- CTS.
 Members, C. Cnoops, A. Grisar and P. Havenith.
 Under the circumstances 1t would seem that the three votes cast by our representatives will have no marked effect upon the decision of the rest of the governing body, and it is known that the European committeeman are set upon keeping tie games abroad
 In casting about for the cause of this astounding state of affairs, which prac- tlcally prevents the greatest nation in the world from being honored with the international contest, 1t was found that lack of funds" on the part of our foreign cousins was foremost among the objections. It was argued that European nations are only step from the scene, no matter in what part of the old continent the games be held, whereas, if they should be held here an enormous expenditure would be re- cuired if all the countries sent repre- sn.ltatives.
 Europeans at Disadvantage
 As an example, foreign Olympic of hcials interviewed last August on the probability of bringing the 1924 games here pointed to the 1904 Olympiad at St. Louis, where our athletes carried off first honors in 24 out of % events decided. Those officials contended that their countries, being unable to raise funds with which to send representa- tives here, were at decided disad- vantage. With Europe in dire financial st1 aits this argument has gained much force abroad.
 It would appear, however that pow erty alone IS not the reason for steer ing clear of the land of prohibition, for representative of Los Angeles, it IS said, offered to charter ship which would stop at the various foreign ports, take abroad the competitors, bring them here and house them during the games.
 This unusual offer avai1ed the pro- gressive westerner naught for the for eign representative, speaking unoff1 cially, said that such a procedure would savor of professionalism and charity and would, i'll his opinion, be altogether undesirable.
 This, plan, 1t Is understood, will be presented by our three representatives at the meeting in June, when the games will be awarded, but all indications point to unfavorable action by the in- ternational committee on any scheme to bring the games here. The advance dope" sent out from Paris recently tends to show that in all likelihood the French capital or Rome will be the scene of the contest, and under the existing system of representation | the American members of the all- powerful body are powerless to change | any decision. of the maJority foreign board.
 To Improve Arrangements Although there is no hope of holding the games III this country, the Ameri- can Olympic committee, which has 1.othing to do with the awarding of the contest, but which Is charged with the arrangement for our participation, has already taken steps to prevent re- l ourrence of the disgracefu1 handling Of the recent Olympiad at Antwerp. This committee, which is composed of three representatives from Is differ ent sports bodies, will meet at the New York A. C. on February, 8 for the pur- pose of completely recognizing the executive committee. It Is proposed to elect body of men who are capable of handling our end of the big games in a manner behtting this nation. In view of the dismal failure of the Antwerp games last August and the wonderful facilities i'll the United States | for handling the Olyrnpics, as well as l the constant agitation in all parts Of our country for the classic, 1t IS not at i all unlikely that the new committee will | join in the fight to honor America. | Thus far the old body has taken no | energetic action to bring this about.
 "STRANGLER' INJURIES OPPONENT VERTEBRA