ATHLETICS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 169, 1 May 1935, Page 2

ATHLETICS.

ROBERTS’ FUTURE. McFARLANE PICKS HIM AS THE NEXT CHAMPION. Tom Roberts is one of the most promising runners I have ever seen in action. To me lie looks to he the coming world’s champion sprinter. 1 place him among the ten best the world has seen.” This was the flattering statement made by “Bill” McFarlane, twice winner of the world-famed Powderhall Gift and) professional champion of Great Britain, who sailed for England on March 26. While the Glasgow athlete refused to make excuses for his reversal of form during his stay in Australia, it is known that he could not become acclimatised, and found the variable weather of Australia—with sudden hursts

of heat alternated by cold weathermore than he could stand. He did not leave Australia with any regrets, as he considered that his trip had been educational in many ways, enabling him to study Australian runners and methods, and to draw comparisons with tracks in Australia and on the other side.

He frankly confessed that Roberts is likely to prove a worthy disciple of the late Jack Donaldson, who was world’s champion for many years. “I have never seen a more natural runner than Roberts, and was not surprised to learn that ho won the StaweiL Gift last year off 9|yds in great style,” said Alc-Farlane. ‘ Alaking his debut in the world’s cliampionsiiip he gave a great account oi‘ himself, and showed, that ‘Mick AlcCartiiy—the man who discovered him before Stawell —knew his business in his preparation for the big iSheffield race last year. “it occurred to me that Roberts had overdone his training. He should, however, not be discouraged, because 1 consider he has performed splendidly. “lie i needs a decent rest after a strenuous season.” . Continuing, AlcFarlane said Tolan was the biggest “surprise packet” he had ever seen—probably tho greatest runner lor his inches the world has ever known. The American had taken everyone by storm —upsetting calculations in all directions.

“ARMY” LEADER’S VIEWS. ENCOURAGEMENT FOR LASSES. You wili find nothing of the austere visionary about General Evangeline Booth, writes Pat Jarrett, in the Aielbourne “Herald.” Dictator of a great force she may be, but a tolerant and human dictator. She lias marched with, the times, her interests are wide, and her sympathies broad,. She laughs at the old taboos on athletics lor girls. The original code of “The Army” that governed its soldiers was rigid, but it was an edict of the late sixties.

A vital woman of many enthusiasms, she has both favoured and sponsored a relaxing of the old code so far as to permit the “Army Lassies” to swim and to enjoy health-giving exercises. General Evangeline believes that health of body clarifies and purifies the mind. Vitality to her means power and revivalist vigour in the humanitarian work of the Army. ‘She appreciates that these associations develop camaraderie and a fairness of outlook which is beneficial to the interests of the great force she controls.

For these reasons, she told me, far from frowning oil such activities as being unladylike, she favours javelin throwing for girls, discus throwing, swimming, diving, tennis, running and hurdling, cycling and horse-riding. I expected to meet a woman who might be a little intolerant of such sports for girls. To my surprise the first topic on which she touched was diving. “At Lake George, near my home in New York, I have an Olympic standard 10-metre diving platform fitted with a regulation oregon springboard and tension wheel,” she said. “[ am an exponent of your Australian crawl, hut act a greater pleasure out of diving.” Her eyes lighted up with enthusiasm as she went on to relate how she dives into the lake at midnight. “At midnight !” I exclaimed incredulously. “Yes, at midnight,” she replied, “because I enjoy diving into a darkened pool. 1 There is something about the inky blackness that has a fascination for me.

“Everybody should he able to swim and dive.”