Olympics alternative shapes up

The United States and 11 other nations decided Tuesday to go ahead with plans for a world sports festival for athletes who boycott the Moscow Olympics. White House adviser Lloyd Cutler told newsmen after a two-day meeting here the plan envisaged a number of events in different sports at various venues around the world, to be televised worldwide and financed by the sale of television rights.

Mr. Cutler said the events were not intended as "counter-Olympics," but would be held after the Moscow games in July and would not harm the "unitary Olympic movement."

The British House of Commons voted more than 2 to 1 Monday in favor of a British boycott of the Moscow Olympics. Conservative and Labour members of Parliament ignored public opinion and voted their consciences. It was a significant victory for Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who has been outspoken in her support for the boycott, reports Monitor correspondent Rushworth M. Kidder. British Olympic authorities, however, still remain determined to attend the Moscow games. And the Australian Amateur Swimming Union, traditionally a bright Olympic hope for that country, has decided not to boycott the Olympics, Australian government policy in favor of the boycott notwithstanding.