ATHLETICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 96, 24 April 1926, Page 25

ATHLETICS.

Had it not been for the inspiration of Nurmi's remarkable running which urged him on to greater efforts, Willie Ritola would not be nearly as famous as he is to-day. This is the opinion of an American writer who considers that Ritola should continue to break records for several years to come. Already Ritola hae had great success. At the last Olympic Games he broke two records and finished second to Nurmi in three other, races. He has won six American outdoor championships and also several indoor titles and holds the following records: 3000 yds, 7m 445; two miles, 9m 3 4-ss; three miles, 13m 56 l-ss;. four, miles, 19m 27 4-os; five miles, 24m 21 4-ssj 5000 metres, 14m 23 l-ss. Commenting on Ritola's prospects during the current indoor season the writer predicts that he will do better than ever. "How well'l remember the race in which Nurmi collapsed near the finish after setting a couple of world's records at intervening distances," comments the writer. "Ritola was trailing- behind, his head thrown back, arms swinging wildly, face distorted with agony and eyes staring. His running was a great contrast to that of Nurmi, who moved with all the rhythm of the golf swing of Bobby Jones and seemingly without effort. When Nurmi's sudden collapse came Ritola took a new lease of life—he put on extra speed, ran with much better form, and passed his stricken countryman with a broad grin on his face. It will be interesting to see if Ritola runs better with Nurmi absent than he did with. Nurmi present."