Evening star., 1924-07-24

Il am going back to the United
States" Col. Thompson said. mot
only proud of our winning achieve
ments in these games, but more
strongly impressed than ever with
the Olympic idea. 1t would be an
International misfortune If they were
to be eliminated. There have been
instances OF unpleasantness. unfor-
tunate incidents both from the point
of view of the competitor and the
spectator, but ! know of no case in
which these were not heartily con-
demned by the responsible officials.
Not Real Sentiment.
Furthermore. these were not evil
dence of the general sentiment, of
the popular feeling, but largely in
dividual cases growing out of the
typical mob spirit, common. in the
United States as we'll as in France.
Against the background of the
whole games, of the good feeling
which l know from my own associa-
tions exists among all the compel
ing nations, these unpleasant things
seem insignificant, and I look upon
the Paris Olympiad as the greatest
achievement in sport ever known
Referring particularly to several
instances where the spectators ap-
parently displayed unfriendliness to-
ward American competitors, Col.
Thompson declared: Il cannot en-
phasize too strongly that this mob
spirit Is not a reflection OF national
spirit"
Taking up other points Of criticism.
Col. Thompson admitted that the
games had proved too unwieldy this
year. but pointed out that the va
rious international organizations
were taking steps toward their re-
vision and reduction.
Need Of Standardization.
This" he continued. will help the
situation. and I think further cause
Of dissatisfaction can be removed by
standardizing the competitive rules
particularly in such sports boxing
and wrestling. in which most of the
| unpleaSantness occurred. The com
petitors were handicapped. and the
spectators did not appreciate the
different standards of the different
countries. and these were directly
responsible for some OF the unfortu-
nate occurrences. They. too. will un-
doubtedly be remedied by the next
games"
In summarizing the situation Col
| Thompson Remarked: France made a
mighty effort and did well. know
that Americans. officials and competi-
| tors alike, have gained from aSso-
citation and friendly contact with
their fellows from all parts of the
"oTIU. NV nTSl FeSpOnSlOlilly when
! ! return will he to put the wheels
| of the organization in order for the
next games.
Holland. ] feel sure will stage the
next games. despite some talk of that
/ nation abandoning them. and we will
/ nave them in 1882. when. ! am conf
dent, a new high mark will be set"
French Have Same View.
Col. Thompson's views were echoed
| by other American officials. while the
| French authorities decried attaching
! Significance to mob incidents, citine
as a contrast the friendly feeling
| everywhere shown among the ath-
| letes.
F'rantz Reichel, general secretar,
| regarded in France as "the man who
made the 1924 Olympic games" said
to the Associated Press:
When one considers that for the
| first time in the history Of the world
As nations gathered together and
other sports. one must feel that the
| few incidents that occurred were
| insignificant indeed. The wonder Is
| that there were not more serious
! clashes. Not between tho athletes
but among their supporters, who
have been the cause of every dis
| agreeable feature through their
chauvinstic support of their ma
tiOnals.
Every time there were fist fights.
kissing and booing in the stands the
athletes competing in the event caus-
ing the trouble have invariably
shaken hands after the contest and
| declared against the intolerance OF
the spectators. This was especially
noticeable in the incidents marking &
the Franco-American rugby matches
when every man on the French team
from the -captain down to the
humblest substitute praised the
American players for their clean. fair
met ethodS."
Spectators at Fault.
NJ. Reichel said that hte spectators
not the athletes, must be educated