Evening star., 1924-03-16

There is no hard and fast rule
governing the Olympic tennis matches
that is applicable to Mrs. Mallory $
case, which was one that the com
mittee could decide upon as 1t saw fit.
1t elected to apply the rule governing
Davis cup contests, which states that
a player, who has once represented
one country can never afterward play
for any other nation Some ten or
twelve years ago. Mrs. Mallory (then
Miss Bjurstedt) played for Norway in
a team match against England, and
because of this the Olmpic committee
has declared her ineligible to play
for the United States.
Mrs Mallory has tried in every way
possible to gain place on our OlyTn-
pic tennis team, as she rightly con-
siders that she should represent this
country. When this right was refused
her and the Olympic committee stated
that she could play only for Norway
the Norwegian Tennis Association i'm
mediately offered her a place on its
team. 1t then became a question Of
her playing for Norway OF not at
all.
A great deal of discussion iax,
arisen as to whether or not sire
should accept, and she has heen
strongly urged in both directions.
She has finally decided to represent
Norway She feels that she has do ie
her utmost to represent US, and.
TdIQ6T I1dH give IlcI vi
playing in the Olympic contest she
will accept Norway's invitation. In
this decision she has the support OF
number of our prominent tennis
officials.
Were it a question merely of her
playing in the Olympic games, thlnH
that the American public would sym
pathize with Mrs. Mallory and upho:G
her in her decision, but, unfortunately
the matter is not so simple. For eA-
emple, il she plays for Norway against
America, should she then represent
America on the team that is to plaE
the British women return matcn =
Wimbledon a few weeks before IT,"
Olympic games?
should Choose America.
Technically, Mrs. Mallory has the
right to represent both countries, bue
there is a question of sentiment anu
good taste involved which would,
Mar with the public If she played
both for and against our country. !!
she is on the American team she viii
be playing side by side with AnerrcaA
girls in England, sharing with tnem
The desire for an American victory.
soon afterward. she would be play
ing against these same teammates IN
France for the purpose of defealihs
America &c
country LOOMS very ldi 49,
one thing that lifts such meetings lar
above ordinary tournaments. Every
one has felt the thrill that comes In
a Davis cup contest when the umpire
announces some such score as, Five
three America leads. The players
themselves say that scoring In tniS
way spurs them on as nothing else
can. Should the situation arise In
which Mrs. Mallory plays for both
countries, thte contest would, Tor ner'
become purely a personal one IN
which patriotism was eliminated. one
cannot fight both for and against the
same country.
Has Done Much for Game.
Mrs. Mallory has done a great deal
for American tennis. NO one can
forget how unsparingly she gave her
self during the war to make the Red
Cross matches a success, nor how she,
together with Tilden, raised $4,000
for the devastated France committee
when Mile. Lenglen failed to play her
Advertised matches. Mrs. Mallory's
marriage seemed to complete her
identification as an American. and
her inclusion in last years united
citizenship.
While we all sympathiZe with her
in her predicament, / think the entire
country would deem it a very fine
thing were she willing to forego the
personal triumph that would be hers
If she won the Olympic contest, and
played only on Americas side in the
English team matches. Afterward she
could enter the British championships
at Wimbledon. The same players will
be there that she would meet in the
Olympic games, and il she can win al
Wimbledon she will gain far greater
personal glory than a victory in
France can bring her.
/ believe that the rule which bars
Mrs. Mallory from playing this year
for the United States eventually will
be changed. Should she play for Nor
way now, it will make it difficult for
her to represent the United States in
the next Olympic contest.