Evening star., 1935-12-01
OLYMPIC DISPUTE
BY AA. j. LOOMS
Fight Over U. S. Entry Apt
to Dim Record Interest
at Convention. a
BY BOB CAvAGNARO,
Associated Press Sports Writer.


N YEw YORK, November 3o.-In-
M terest in year of athletic rec
ords may fade into the back
L ground at the convention Of
the Amateur Athletic Union here De-
cember 6 to 8, If an expected red-hot
dispute over American participation in
the 1886 Olympics at Berlin mate
rializes.
Fifteen months ago the American
Olympic Committee, Of which Avery
Brundage Of Chicago is president, ac-
cepted Germany's invitation to COM
pete. But since then reports Of re-
newed religious and racial discrim-
nations in Germany have reopened
the question.
Actually the A. A. U. can do nothing
to alter the decision of the American
Olympic body. The A. A. us author
ity is limited to certification Of the
athletes Uncle Sam will send abroad.
The point at stake Is whether the A.
A. U. will certify members Of the
American team. Failure to do so would
shift that responsibility to the Inter-
national Olympic Committee, whose
authority supercedes all national
bodies.
Safeguarding against possible adj
verse vote at next weeks convention.
the International Committee already
has indicated it will accept the candi-
dates selected by the American Com.
mittee.
Leaders In Opposition.
RRUNDAGE has been leading the
defense Of American participation,
while the opposition almost from the
start has had the leadership of Jere-
miah T. Mahoney, president of the A.
A. u, who comes up for reelection,
Within the last few weeks two of the
three American members of the Inter.
national Committee have lined up with
them.
Brig. Gen. Charles H. Sheriff.,
former Ambassador 10 Turkey. who
investigated conditions in Germany
and conferred with Adolf Hitler, has
taken sides with Brundage, while Err
nest Lee Jahncke, former Assistant
Secretary of the Navy in President
Hoover's administration, has joined
the Mahoney boycott faction.
There are "a district associations in
the A. A. U. and, according to Dan
Ferris. secretary a majority
has displayed an apathetic attitude
toward the question.
Seven districts voted in opposition
to an American boycott, while four
favored it. The other % districts did
not vote. Opposition strength lies in
Eastern and Southern areas. The
Middle West is reported solidly in ia.
vor of participation.
II the question comes up at the con.
vention it probably will be broached
by the opposition, with Mahoney as
standard bearer and spokesman. II
there is no discussion the A A. U.
will automatically certify the athletes.
Many Records to Consider.
| A MONG the major items Of business
before the A. A. U. will be pass
ing upon athletic records, the award
ing of national championships and
the selection of dates and sites for
Olympic trials. 1t is expected the
track and field trials will be combined
with the National A. A. U. champion
ships.
Two hundred and ninety-two rec
ords, constituting a record in them
selves, will be presented for consid-
Grafton, They cover track and field,
swimming and weight lifting perform
ances.
Ralph Flanagan, the Miami aquatic
speedster, tops the records seeking
candidates. He has submitted 20 free
style marks for adoption. Adolph
Kiefer of Chicago. the back-stroke
marvel, is second with Is.
Particular interest will center on
the conventions action on the ex-
ploits Of Jesse Owens. who last May IS
shattered three world figures and tied
another in one afternoon. They were
0:094 for 100 yards, equal to the
world record, and 0:203 for 220 yards
fiat; 0:22.6 for 220-ysrd hurdles, and
26 feet Sl4 inches in the broad jump.