Opinion Divided on Admitting Germany, Japan to Olympics: Danish Sports Leaders Are Against Idea; Netherlands Spokesmen in Opposite Stand, Daily Racing Form, 1950-05-04

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■ - ► Opinion Divided on Admitting Germany, Japan to Olympics Danish Sports Leaders Are Against Idea; Netherlands Spokesmen in Opposite Stand COPENHAGEN, Denmark, May 3 UP-Danish sports leaders believe feeling still is too intense to readmit Germany and Japan to international athletic competition, but in the Netherlands, spokesmen think that it should be done as a means of repairing torn relations, it was revealed today. The question of whether to readmit these nations to the International Olympic Committee is the big item on the agenda for the IOC Congress opening here on May 14. Leo Frederiksen, president of the Danish Athletic Union which controls all branches of Danish sport said, "It is not yet time to readmit Germany and Japan." "The IOC did not readmit Germany until five years after the first World War and I see no reason to go faster this time," he said. "Besides the matter is also less urgent as long as Germany is split into two states." Alf Christensen, president of the Danish Amateur Boxing Union, was even more adamant. Political Problems Must Be Solved "Germany and Japan shall certainly not be readmitted yet," he said. "The political problems between these two nations and the allied nations must be resolved before international relations in athletics can be resumed." Sven Thomsen, president of the Danish Bicycle Club, said that the IOC "cannot go on keeping Germany and Japan out, but I personally would not recommend their re-admission this year." The feeling was different in the Nether-land, however. Col. Pieter Scharroo, Dutch member of the IOC said, "Now is the time to drop personal feelings regarding the problem of readmitting these nations." "In my opinion the basic Olympic idea of membership open to all should be applied at the forthcoming Copenhagen Congress," he said. "Personal feelings should be shelved." However, he admitted that not all of the athletic leaders in the Dutch nation were in accord. "Sentiments range from full agreement for readmission to flat rejection among Dutch sports leaders and fans," Scharroo said.


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Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800