View source for Britain and the Olympic Games (8 august 1912)

''Britain and the Olympic Games'' is a letter written by [[Arthur Conan Doyle]] first published in [[The Times]] on 8 august 1912.


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== Britain and the Olympic Games ==
[[File:The-Times-1912-08-08-britain-olympic-games.jpg|180px|right|thumb|[[The Times]] (8 august 1912)]]


'''SIR A. CONAN DOYLE'S PROPOSALS.'''

'''AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.'''

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.

Sir, — The debate as to our preparations for the next Olympic 
Games tends to take the shape of recrimination rather than of 
construction. Might I appeal to all concerned to let bygones be 
bygones, and to centre our efforts upon the future? The scoring of 
debating points over each other only darkens counsel. The chief
offender in the past has been the easy-going public, which has not 
taken an interest until our comparative failure at Stockholm came 
to waken it out of its indifference. The first step now is that every 
one should be magnanimous enough to forget any quarrels of the 
past, to express regret for them, and to unite with the one unselfish 
ideal of forming the best instrument for the purpose in hand.

I am aware that I speak with no authority upon such a subject, 
but I have the advantage of complete independence since I do not 
belong now, and never could in the future, to any governing body, 
nor have I taken sides in any altercation. Perhaps, then, I may be 
allowed to make a suggestion as to organisation. It is clear that this 
matter must be set right and endorsed by Press and public before 
any appeal for funds upon a large scale will have any chance of 
success.

The Olympic Association of the past has worked against the 
great difficulty of public apathy. It has done some particularly 
good work - especially in the matter of the London Games, which 
will probably fix the Olympic type for ever. The Council consists 
of about 50 members, who include the presidents or representatives
of nearly every branch of sport. Such a body is, as it seems to 
me, far too valuable to dissolve, and should always be retained as a 
final court of appeal in which any matter affecting the general 
policy of Great Britain towards the Games might be discussed and 
settled.

It is clear, however, that such a gathering is much too large for 
executive purposes. The smaller a body the more does each 
member feel his personal responsibility and the greater the results 
achieved. The ideal executive committee would, as it seems to me, 
consist of a nucleus of four or five from the present Olympic 
Association, with as many more co-opted from outside - not only 
from the Universities, but from popular athletic bodies through-out
the country, and from men of affairs who are outside the 
ordinary circles of sport. Various committees for finance, training, 
and other purposes could be formed in such a way, each with wide 
powers in its own department. Such an arrangement would have 
the advantage that it could be taken in hand by the Association 
and put through without delay.

My contention is that if some practical organisation of this sort 
could be at once formed and gain the general endorsement and 
confidence of the public, we could then appeal for the large sum 
which will be needed without any danger of being refused. The 
public will want to know in advance what it is going to get for its 
money. If they see a definite practical scheme, and if the names 
which guarantee it show that the ranks are closed and all are of one
mind, we shall have overcome the greatest difficulty which lies
between us and Berlin.

Yours faithfully,

ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE.<br />
Windlesham, Crowborough, Sussex, Aug. 5.


== See also ==

* [[Our Olympic Failure]] (22 july 1912, [[Evening Standard]])
* [[The Olympic Games (30 july 1912)|The Olympic Games]] (30 july 1912, [[The Times]])
* [[Britain and the Olympic Games (2 august 1912)|Britain and the Olympic Games]] (2 august 1912, [[The Times]])
* [[The Olympic Games (22 march 1913)|The Olympic Games]] (22 march 1913, [[The Saturday Review]]) 
* [[Olympic Committee]] (25 march 1913, [[Sporting Life]])
* [[Olympic Games Lethargy]] (24 may 1913, [[Daily Express]])
* [[The Olympic Games (27 august 1913)|The Olympic Games]] (27 august 1913, [[The Times]])
* [[The Olympic Games Fund (13 september 1913)|The Olympic Games Fund]] (13 september 1913, [[The Times]])
* [[The Olympic Games Fund (11 october 1913)|The Olympic Games Fund]] (11 october 1913, [[The Times]])
* [[Some Views on the Olympic Talent Fund]] (Christmas 1913, [[Stock Exchange Christmas Annual]])
* Preface of [[The Evolution of the Olympic Games 1829 B.C-1914 A.D.]], by F.A.M. Webster (may 1914, [[Heath, Cranton & Ouseley Ltd.]])









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* [[Sir Arthur Conan Doyle:Complete Works|Back to Complete Works]]
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