23 OCTOBER 1964, Page 7

Mr. Brundage's Faith

Mr. Brundage, President of the Internationa' I Olympics Committee, said: The movement is a religion which incorporates all the basic values of other religions.'—News item.

The tumult and the shooting dies.

The races and the jumps depart, And we have seen with mild surprise A flying, if a contrite, start And there is Mr. Brundage yet Lest we forget—lest we forget.

Far-called, our athletes do their stuff.

Most vainly hoping for a Gold, And some are decent chaps enough And some will do as they are told.

But isn't it a trifle odd To think them substitutes for God?

CHRISTOPHER HOLL IS