BOOK REVIEWS As an Athlete at the Time Was the Untenability of the Amateur Status, Which the Authorities Considered Sacred
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One thing that occupied Paulen BOOK REVIEWS as an athlete at the time was the untenability of the amateur status, which the authorities considered sacred. Contemporaries such as the Finnish runners, Paavo Nurmi and Ville Ritola, he observed, were certainly not pure amateurs, but, according to Paulen, “they should not be blamed too much”. After the World War II, in which he distinguished himself as a member Jan Diebold of the Dutch resistance, Paulen’s Hochadel und Kolonialismus star began to rise as a sports offi- im 20. Jahrhundert Cees Haverhoek & Paul van Gool cial. A thorn in his eye remained the Die imperiale Biographie des „Afrika- Tegendraads visionair – De avonturier die “mess” of the IAAF about amateur- Herzogs” Adolf Friedrich zu Mecklenburg nooit thuis was. Adriaan Paulen. Hardloper, ism and professionalism. In the late- (High Nobility and Colonialism in the 20th century: verzetsman, sportbestuurder 1902–1985 1940s he expressed his expectation The Imperial Biography of the “Africa Duke” (Contradictory Visionary – The Adventurer Who that “every individual (in 30 years or Adolf Friedrich of Mecklenburg) Was Never at Home. Adriaan Paulen. Runner, so) will decide for himself whether he Böhlau Publishers, Cologne 2019, in German Resistance Fighter, Sports Official 1902–1985) wants to be an amateur or not.” 342 pages, 50 EUR, ISBN: 978-3-412-50081-8 Arko Sports Media, Nieuwegein 2019; 480 pages, Paulen developed within the 27.25 EUR, ISBN: 978-90-5472-425-4, in Dutch IAAF into the expert concerning Reviewed by Volker Kluge regulations, and did not hesitate to Reviewed by Kees Sluys intervene on the spot, e.g. during One of the IOC Members with some “The adventurer who was never at the long jump competition in Mexico of the best transnational networks, home.” This is the perfect subtitle 1968 where Bob Beamon jumped his due to his origin, was Duke Adolf to the extensive Dutch book, incredible 8.90 metres. Friedrich of Mecklenburg. Born Tegendraads visionair, which was Six years later, he became in 1873 at Schwerin Castle, he was published this year about the life of president of the EAA, and the presi- elected as the third German member Adriaan (Adje) Paulen (1902–1985). dency of the IAAF followed in 1976. of the IOC in 1926. This was allegedly In 1963, when he retired as director In this position, he was at odds at the request of the Dutch Queen of the Dutch Athletics Federation, with the arch-conservative IOC Wilhemina, who in 1901 had married he was already a much-travelled chairman, Avery Brundage, with his brother Heinrich, three years man who had taken more than regard to amateur regulations, but younger than he. Prince Hendrik – 430 flights – not to mention his car in 1981 Paulen saw his prophecy his name as Prince Consort – opened kilometres – since assuming the post of 30 years earlier come true. The the Games of the IXth Olympiad in in 1945. “Traveling seems to him an new IOC President, Juan Antonio Amsterdam in 1928 on behalf of his almost compulsive activity, which Samaranch, “came with the wife. gives him enormous joy”, note the liberating announcement that the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg authors about Paulen. IOC for the Games would refer the Friedrich Franz II, the father of Adolf This travel mania was given a word ‘amateur’ to the archives.” Friedrich and Heinrich, had already major boost by the sport he practised But this was not enough for grow- been committed to the Olympic with great success. After he reached ing commercial interests. In a unified Movement when he took over the 800-metres final at the 1920 collaboration between Horst Dassler sponsorship of the newly founded Antwerp Olympics as a 17-year-old and the ambitious IAAF candidate German Participation Committee in (!) and finished seventh, invitations chairman, Primo Nebiolo, Paulen 1895 – which had been contested to competitions from abroad began was sidelined. However, in 1983, one in chauvinistic circles – for the 1896 to pourin. Paulen, who would later of his long-held wishes was fulfilled: Olympics in Athens. Like his father, graduate as a mining engineer, the first World Championships. Adolf Friedrich preferred horse became friends with greats such as Tegendraads visionair is a breeding and hunting. He was a Charlie Paddock and Charles Hoff and wonder ful, comprehensive, and gifted jockey until he suffered a fought against the famous German dedicated work about an individual serious fall in 1898. athlete, Dr. Otto Peltzer, in thrilling who played a key role in (interna- As he had no prospect of suc- duels at 400 and 800 metres. tional) athletics throughout his life. cession as the fifth son, the option 76.