Churchill's Lost Olympic Speech Found

A previously overlooked speech by Winston Churchill, delivered in 1923, has been discovered in the Churchill Archives Centre at the University of Cambridge. The speech was made in support of a fundraising campaign aimed at ensuring British athletes could participate in the 1924 Paris Olympics based on merit rather than financial means. Churchill's advocacy for equal opportunity in sports reflects his lesser-known passion for athletics, as noted by the archive's director, Allen Packwood. In his address at Mansion House, London, Churchill emphasized the importance of providing necessary funds to support athletes, stating, "We must be in a position to make sure that when our country competes in Olympic Games, real native merit shall not be excluded from our representation because those who prove that merit are poor." This appeal was part of a larger effort led by Lord Birkenhead to raise £40,000 for the athletes, highlighting the challenges faced by competitors in the aftermath of World War I. Packwood pointed out that while Churchill is often remembered as a wartime leader, he was also a dedicated sportsman in his youth, having been the public school fencing champion in 1892 and a member of a successful polo team in India. The speech, which is not included in the comprehensive collection of Churchill's speeches or his official biography, offers a unique insight into his views on sports and competition. Churchill served as the Member of Parliament for Woodford, Essex, from 1924 until 1964, and this speech adds depth to his legacy beyond his political achievements.