1912 Olympic Games Official Report Part 2

in that group, were first drawn, before any cyclist of the next nationin that group was taken. In consequence of the plan thus adoptedfor the drawing, it was found possible to prevent two members ofthe same nation pacing each other.THE MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPETITION.By means of the grand try out, held on the 2 June, and whichwas arranged as a general rehearsal of the coming Olympic race, theCycling Committee had an opportunity of seeing how the machineryof the whole worked; if all the cogs were there, so to say, and ifthey engaged in each other as they should. All those persons thathad been asked to act as officials were requested to be present at thetry out, but before the event came off, the leader of the competitionsummoned all the officials — those who were to be stationed in thecountry places, as well as those that were to be on duty in Stockholm,on the occasion of the Olympic Race — to a meeting inStockholm, 120 persons answering the call. At this meeting, theleader read and explained the “Instructions for officials”, etc., andthe functionaries were given the opportunity of making themselvesperfectly well acquainted with their duties, by means of questioning,etc. The race on June 2, showed that all the arrangements, withthe exception of one or two details of minor importance, were thebest possible.At the start in the try out, which took place on the high roadjust opposite the primary school at Liljeholmen, the building mentionedwas very kindly placed at the disposal of the managers of therace by the head master, Mr. A. G. Kjellberg. It was found possibleto make every desirable arrangement in the large, light and convenientrooms, for the comfort both of the officials and the competitors, whofound here warm and pleasant rooms for changing clothes, and forthe medical inspection as well, in those cases where it had not previouslybeen carried ont. Those who came too soon to the startingplace were able to rest here in comfort, while, in the large schoolyard,there was plenty of room for cycles, the assistants, etc. Theimportant matter of the time-keeping had also been arranged in the bestpossible way, and first-class chronometers were employed, placed at thedisposal of the Committee by F. Höglund, Watchmaker, Stockholm.The eleven Control Committees, too, — at Södertälje, Läggesta(Mariefred), Strängnäs, Eskilstuna, Kungsör, Köping, Västerås, Enköping,Bålsta and Järfva — did their work excellently. By each ofthese control committees arrangements had to be made for:a) the presence at the stations of persons of linguistic acquirements,or the purpose of rendering the necessary assistance to foreign competitors;the languages that had to be represented first and foremostwere English, German, French and Russian, in the order given;b) a special attendant to superintend and manage any necessary repairsto the cycles;c) a doctor — who, if not actually present, had to be ready tocome at a moment’s call, if necessary;28 Fifth Olympiaden. 433