Through the Lens of the Trainer-Masseurs: Australia’s Incongruous Engagement with the Olympic Amateur Ethos

Abstract

This paper examines the history of coach/trainer-masseur support to Australian athletes at Olympic Games during the twentieth century. Given Australia’s cultural historical connection to Great Britain, the Australian Olympic Federation (AOF) pursued a strict interpretation of amateurism, best understood in the global context of amateur ideals and elite athletics. The AOF’s proscriptive application of Olympic amateur rules and values throughout the organisation meant that the core issue that surfaced in delivering amateur status was the discrimination against overt specialized professional support. Ultimately the AOF’s motivation emphasized promoting an amateur ethos of recreation and Olympic sporting values. It also pursued a strategic priority of athletic competitiveness at the Olympics. The result was an irreconcilable underlying tension that became untenable by the 1970s. Until then, the AOF responded by engaging coach/trainer-masseurs, also referred to as athletes’ attendants. This group was distinguishable as non-specialized attendants and included masseurs, coach-masseurs, trainer-masseurs and physical directors in contrast to specialized professional coaches and masseurs/physiotherapists. Ultimately, Australian athletes benefitted from non-specialized coach/trainer masseurs expert support and their professional emphasis on winning.