TO MEET NURMI?

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18635, 9 March 1926, Page 8

TO MEET NURMI?

PLAN TO SEND ROSE ABROAD. * AMERICANS WANT A VISIT. (special to "the rsKSS.") WELLINGTON, March 8. Since E. A. Eose has definitely established himself as one of the world's best mile runners, it is possible that he may be given the opportunity of instituting a claim to first place among the champions, and thiß chance may be offering in the near future. Already it is accepted as practically certain that Eose will be sent to the next Olympic Games, but this means waiting for another two years. The Americans, Jackson Scholz and Lloyd Hahn, have both expressed, their intention of endeavouring to arrange for Eose to, make a trip to America next year, and this would no doubt serve as a further stepping stone to the place to which many New Zealand enthusiasts consider Eose is capable of rising—second to none in the world. The one great desire is that Eose should meet Nurmi. Negotiations with a view to bringing this about are already in train, but at present the pros* pect is not particularly bright. It is possible, however, that Nurmi may visit England for the English Amateur Athletic Championship meeting at Stamford Bridge in July of this year. Other than that, the future intentions of the "Flying Finn" are not known. The English meeting is of course one of the most important in the world, and with Eose'now heading for world's honours, it is suggested that the New Zealander should be sent to" compete at this meeting. Mr F. Wilton, of the New Zealand A.A. Council, mentioned the matter at a social function on Saturday evening, and made a further suggestion that the Wellington Centre might consider the question of staging another sports meeting towards the end of the month, wih a view to raising funds to send Eose to England. Immediate action is required if effect is to be given to the proposal, and it is expected that the New Zealand Council will move without delay. If Eose is sent to England he will leavs within the next few weeks, in order that he may become acclimatised before competing at the English Championships. In the event of Nurmi not being in England, arrangements might be made for Rose to visit the Continent ahd meet Nurmi there. A World's Eecord. As far as can be ascertained the time registered by Eose at Masterton On Thursday evening constitutes a world's record for a grass track. Times better than that made by Eose have been put up on cinder tracks or boards. Eose's time at Masterton was 4min 13 3-ssec., Hahn says of Rose,—"Rose is undoubtedly one of the greatest mile and distance runners seen for many years. . j "Theimprovement that he has shown already would indicate that he-has not yet reached top form, and if he adopts a proper system of training he will, I should say, be one of the greatest ath- J letes the world has ever seen. Schc'z and I, with the assistance of others'in the United States with whom New Zealanders are acquainted, intend to make a special effort to get this great runner to visit us text year. I know that some of the big colleges are. already interested, and willing to combine in making an offer which Eose would probably give serious consideration. Lam sure that \t would be to the benefit of athletics in J America as well as in New Zealand to have this visit realised. I am keen on it, and would like to see him measure his prowess with the best in America. That he will more than hold his own I am already convinced, and who knows that he might not develop into a world's record breaker."