Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - IV. Education and Mental Culture. Introd. by P. E. Lindström - 7. Athletics and Sport (Idrott). By [V. G. Balck] G. Åsbrink
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iv. education and mental cultulle.
Group III. Running 100 meters, maximum’ time 13 sees., or running 400
meters, maximum time 65 sees., or running 1 500 meters, maximum time 5 min.
15 sees.
Group IV. Fencing or throwing the discus, minimum 40 meters, or throwing
the javelin, minimum 50 meters, or putting the weight, minimum 16 meters.
Group V. Running 10 000 meters, maximum time 50 min., or swimming 1 000
meters, maximum time 28 min., or skating 10 000 meters, maximum time
25 min., or running on skis 20 000 meters cross country, maximum time 2
hrs. 15 min., or cycling (on road) 20 000 meters, maximum time 50 min., or
taking part in the final of a league football match or in a match for the
Swedish Football Championship.
The first association of importance for the promotion of athletics in Sweden
was Centralföreningen för idrottens främjande (The Central Association for the
Promotion of Athletics). It is true that there were a great number of athletic
clubs at an earlier date, but there existed no central, directing body uniting
these, while, in addition, these clubs did not possess the economic resources
necessary for the arrangement of, or participation in, athletic gatherings of
importance, or for representing Sweden at similar meetings abroad. Neither
did the clubs possess the necessary means for the laying out of athletic grounds.
In order to promote these interests and in order to spread a knowledge of, and
awaken a public interest in athletics, the above-mentioned Central Association
was founded in the year 1897. As a consequence of the work of the Central
Association, the importance of athletics as an educational factor in the
development of the nation became more and more acknowledged, and practical athletics
gradually began to gain a firm footing in the every-day life of the Swedish
people.
The two great athletic organizations, the Central Association and the Swedish
National Gymnastic and Sporting Association have agreed so to arrange their
spheres of activity that the Central Association is the highest authority as regards
the economic direction of Swedish athletics, while the National Association
forms the highest court of appeal in questions appertaining to the organization
and direction of sport. On all great occasions in the world of athletics, however,
such as the Olympic Games, etc., Sweden is represented by both organizations
in common.
The work on which the Central Association has chiefly concentrated its
efforts has been the encouragement, support, and establishment of athletic grounds
all over the country. Chiefly by its own resources the Central Association has
thus created, and still supports, the principal athletic ground in Sweden, viz.,
the Östermalm Athletic Grounds in Stockholm, which boast three football-pitches,
running tracks, and spaces for jumping and throwing exercises, etc., in addition
to a first-class lawn-tennis hall with two covered courts and four open-air
courts. These grounds have cost about 200 000 kronor (£ 11 000) and were of
very great service during the Olympic Games in Stockholm, as they lay quite
close to the newly erected Stadium and were reserved as training grounds for
the athletes taking part in the Games.
It was as a result of the action of the Central Association, both through its
members that belong to the International Olympic Committee and also in
consequence of the sanction of the State and the co-operation of the Swedish
National Gymnastic and Sporting Association, that Sweden was able to accept
the honourable task of arranging the Fifth Olympiad in Stockholm.
The Central Association possesses a fund of about one million and a half of
kronor, and the State grants 100 000 kronor yearly for the encouragement of
sports in Sweden.
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