The recent case of a young Hereford sprinter who, by
impersonating another runner, secured a prize of the value of
£4, and who was ordered by the Bench to pay three guineas
towards the cost of the prosecution and refund the prize or its
equivalent value, shows that the justices are doing all they
can to assist the Amateur Athletic Association in preserving
amateur athletics for the pure sportsman.
It is to be regretted that such instances are by no means rare,
and the Amateur Athletic Association has several cases in hand
at the present time. The Association is, however, determined to
put a stop to the practice.
The trick of impersonating amateurs and thereby winning prizes
at athletic sports is, in fact, as old as the hills, and years
ago used to be carried on unblushingly and free from detection.
One of the earliest cases on record was that of a man at
Ashford. His head was as innocent of hair as a billiard ball,
and to play the part properly it was necessary for him to wear
a wig. He was winning his race easily enough, when his hirsute
adornment was blown off by the wind, and the attempted fraud
ended in failure.
Quite recently there were two brothers in the army, one an
amateur and the other a professional. The latter impersonated
the former with sufficient success as to secure the prize; but
although the fraud was afterwards discovered, it was felt that
the evidence was not strong enough to secure a conviction.
In a similar case in the Northampton district a couple of years
ago, the judge took a serious view of the case, and the
offender received exemplary punishment.
Strong action is undoubtedly needed to stamp out the practice,
and the Amateur Athletic Association will leave no stone
unturned in its endeavours to purify it.