ATHLETICS

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27782, 6 October 1955, Page 5

ATHLETICS

POSSIBLE VISIT BY AMERICANS

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 5. The United States Amateur Athletic Union has approved a tour of New Zealand, and possibly Australia, by three American athletes in the last two weeks of December of this year and the first iweek of January. The union’s secretary (Mr D. J. Ferris) advised the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association in a letter received last night that the middle distance runner, Wes Santee, is interested in making the trip, though he will not be able to give a definite answer till he receives a clearance from the United States Marine Corps.

Santee is completing an officers’ course, and expects to be free about the end of this year.

The equally famous pole-vaulter. R. Richards, has also said that he woula like to make the trip, but would have to be back in America by January 8. Mr Ferris said that he was endeavouring to induce the national sprint champion, R. Morrow, to make the trip. He will give more definite information as soon as it is available.

The New Zealand association is to ask the New Zealand Olympic and British Empire Games Association whether New Zealand athletes will be available for selection in the Empire and Commonwealth team to meet the United States in a track and field match, within a few e Pd t,le Olympic Games. The fixture will be under floodlights on December 5, 1956.

Previous meetings between the two bodies, excepting those of 1930 and 1932, which were held respectively in Chicago and San Francisco, have all been held in London, and have been organised by the British Amateur Athletic Board, which has given permission for the Australian Athletic Union to hold the meeting this time in Melbourne.

The Japanese Athletic Federation has invited New Zealand athletes to compete in an international marathon race, to be held on December 11, at Fukuoka Citv. E. Rye, who was the New Zealand marathon champion last year, competed in the race when it was held for the first nme at Kamakura, but was affected oy the torrential rain, and had to withdraw. Entries will close with the Japanese federation on November 27, and nominations must be received by the New Zealand association by November 15.