Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-10
WEAR BLACK BANDS OF MOURNING
! First Hungorions Weep
On Melbourne Arrival
MELBOURNE. Nov. 10 Up

MElIbOOfCNE, NOV. III Ill.,
An advance contingent Of ath-
letes from strife-torn Hungary
arrived today for the Olympic
Games, and wept unashamedly
at a moving reception staged by
a crowd of more than 1000.
Sixty competitors and Off
Gals, many wearing black bands
OF mourning on their arms and
coat lapels, we're on the plane
which set down at Essendon Air
port this morning. Many of
them fought against the Rus
slams in the recent rebellion.
However, they refused to talk
about politics, although they
were obviously saddened by the
Soviet suppression of the re-
bellion.
1--WE cannot talk, ;" one said
through an interpreter. Il have
a wife and three children at
home and my first consideration
lis for them"
Several athletes with no home
ties told friends among the i'm
migrants now living here that
they may not return.
Arrangements are already be-
ing made by the immigrants to
absorb any Of the team who do
not wish return to their home
land.
Most of the welcoming crowd
was made up of former Hun
garians and ex-citizens of the
IRON Curtain countries who have
fled Communist rule. They car
Iried bouquets of flowers and
wore arm bands of red, white
and green-Hungary's national
colors-on their arms with a
black strip of ribbon to designate
mourning for Hungary's dead.
Politics Avoided
AS the team diSembarked,, the
crowd yelled the Hungarian war
song, "Hooie Hooie Hooray."
Some of the team embraced old
friends now living in Australia
They chatted, but avoided poll
tics, apparently for fear of re-
prisals from security police also
on the plane.
Some of these were the last
to leave the plane. AS they dis
embarked. the cheering crowd
suddenly became silent and some
Imuttered insults under their
breath. All had promised to
avoid demonstration out of
courtesy to the Australian Olym-
pic Organizing Committee.
After the team went through
customs, it stood at the airport
railing facing a crowding group
of ex-Hungarians. including
youngsters in native dress and
old women with wrinkled, sad
faces.
Two huge Hungarian flags
were raised at the airdrome re-
Iception center and three small
children in costume with arm
loads of flowers stood facing the
new arrivals.
Communist Flag Missing
Then they all sang Hungary's
national anthem, God Bless
Hungary" and there were few
dry eyes in the house. Burly
athletes with weather-toughened
faces wept openly.
The huge airdrome resounded
with song and then there was
another loud cheer as the team
entered buses for the trip to the
Heidelburg Olympic village.
The Hungarian Communist flag
was not in evidence. 1t was said
other members of the team yet
TO come are bringing the official
Hungarian flag a tricolor. 1t
will bear a black band of mourn
ing.
I'VE will not compete under
the Communist flag" an I'M
identified team member said.
Frozen out Of the picture and
almost completely ignored was
the small Russian welcoming
delegation, headed by Mjkhail
Peeliak. Soviet village COM
mandant. and Peter Sobolev. So
Wet Olympic attache.
Peeliak was asked whether he
was there to welcome the Hun
garians and he said yes" II
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