AMERICAN ATHLETES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 10671, 16 February 1926, Page 5

AMERICAN ATHLETES

ARRIVAL AT ASHBURTON. CIVIC RECEPTION TENDERED. The American athletes, Jackson V. Scholz and Lloyd Hahn, who will compete at the Sports Carnival on the Domain oval to-morrow, arrived in Ashburton by the first express this morning. They were welcomed at the station by Mr W. B. Thomas (Club captain) and other officials of the Ashburton Amateur Athletic and Cycling dub, and were afterwards conveyed to the Council Chambers, where they were tendered a civic reception by the Deputy-Mayor (Mr W. H. Woods). Mr Woods said it gave him great pleasure to extend to their guests, a. very hearty welcome on behalf of the citizens. Sioce they had landed ira New Zealand their performances had been watched with great interest, and he hoped that their guests would derive as much pleasure from the sports, tomorrow as the public would from watching them. Local athletics would receive a great impetus from the visit, and he trusted the time was not far distant when the people of New Zealand could reciprocate the visit. Mr H. F. Nicoll, on behalf of the local Athletic Club, extended a hearty welcome to the visitors. Ashburton was very proud to receive a visit from world’s champions. Their visitors were not., only champions but were true sports. He trusted they would carryaway happy memories of their visit here. Mr W. B. Thomas said the local club had had a big fight to secure the visit, which, there was no doubt, would do much for local athletics. Mr Hahn said it gave them great pleasure to be visitors to Ashburton. If any young athletes asked any Questions Mr Scholz and he would be only too pleased to answer them, and do what they could to assist the inquirers Ho trusted that the present tour would bo successful in every way, and that the meeting to-morrow would also be a success. Mr Scholz said he was pleased to be present at such a welcome, even t-hougn athletes were notoriously bad speakers. The success of any town depended on th© physique of its people, and tins could be best improved by the fosterin<r of amateur athletics. Judging by the reception they had received elsewhere, he was sure the trip was going to bo worth while.

A WELLINGTON COMPETITOR. CHAMPION SPRINTER JENKINS. Advice has just been received that C. Jenkins (Champion Sprinter of New Zealand) will be a competitor at the Sports Meeting to-morrow. The inclusion of this runner in the sprintevents will make the meeting particularly interesting. At Wellington on Saturday Jenkins, with a handicap of 1 yard in the 100 yards and 3 yards in the 220 yards, ran particularly well. The results of these two race® to-mor-row are very open.