Rhodesia and Olympic Games

The Sunday Mail, March 8, 1936 THAT Rhodesia, as far as entering for Olympic and Empire Games is concerned, is an entirely separate entity from the Union of South Africa was the opinion of four officials of the South African Olympic and Empire Games Association, expressed in a letter read by Mr Reynolds at the final session of the special meeting of the South African

Amateur Swimming Union.

At a previous session Mr JR Robertson, one of the Rhodesian delegates, asked how Rhodesia stood with regard to entry for the Olympic or Empire Games, and he wanted to know if Rhodesian swimmers were eligible for inclusion in a South African Olympic Games team.

The officials expressed the opinion that as Rhodesia had already been represented at Olympic Games in branches of sport other than swimming, they could not hope for the inclusion of Rhodesian swimmers in a South African team. Rhodesian swimmers would have to be entered as representing Rhodesia.

The South African Olympic and Empire Games Association is to make inquiries from the parent body to obtain a definite ruling which will obviate any misunderstanding as to Rhodesia’s exact status.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

• The Olympic Games are supposed to unite the world; they were created as a tool to help connect individual countries, as a way to put politics behind us and compete in love and happiness.

• “No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in the Olympic areas”, reads chapter 5 of the Olympic Charter.

• Civic and political leaders play their part, but these efforts are primarily driven by business concerns that stand to profit most: construction companies and unions, architectural firms, banks, tourism and the hospitality industry.

• International sport needs the interest and support of politicians, but not their interference.

Politicians, on the other hand, appreciate that sport has a political dimension, and exploit this when they can.

• Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games are likely to be held from July 23 to August 8 this year. For historical information contact: Zimpapers Knowledge Centre at Herald House on: