1912 Olympic Games Official Report Part 2

such a branch of athletics as wrestling, where the decision, in manycases, rests on the personal opinion of the judge presiding over acontest. Very often, the defeated candidate feels that he has a grievance,and if there is the least possibility in the world of being ableto enter a protest, the opportunity is seldom neglected.In order to make the judging at the wrestling competitions of theOlympic Games as fair as possible, the rules prescribed that pointsshould be awarded only in the event of the three judges being unanimous.Further, a bout could not be declared as having been decidedby the defeat of one of the parties, unless two, at least, of thejudges decided that a fall had been gained by the victor. In additionto this, and in order to avoid the possibility of any partialitybeing shown, it was determined that the judges, in each contest, shouldalways belong to other nations than those represented by the wrestlers.One would think, then, that the rules intended to safeguard thecompetitors from unfair decisions on the part of the judges were quiteample for the purpose, but, in spite of this, the leaders of some ofthe wrestlings teams were at once ready with a protest, as soon asany of the representatives of their nations were defeated. This beingthe case, it is clear that the greatest firmness had to be displayedfrom the very beginning by the leaders of the competitions. All interferencewith the work of the officials met with a firm althoughpolite rebuff, at the same time that any information asked for wasvery willingly given. One or two very strong protests were entered,but these were met by satisfactory explanations. It is to be regrettedthat a number of the judges from abroad retired towards the close ofthe competitions, their absence making the rules as to the nationalityof the judges in the various contests of lesser effectivity, but as thistook place towards the close of the events, the step did not causethe leaders of the competition any difficulties worth mentioning.There can be no doubt but the Wrestlings Competitions of the FifthOlympiad taught several lessons well worthy of remembrance on future,similar occasions. The most important question — that of therules — will, however, most probably be taken in hand by the proposedInternational Amateur Wrestling Federation, and solved in agreementwith what has been learned at the Olympic Games of Stockholm.The finals are not included in the tables.Relative positions of the Nations in the Wrestling Competitions.FinlandSwedenGermanyRussiaHungaryDenmarkNation 1:st prize 2:nd prize 3:rd prize Points765