HIGH JUMPERS AT GAMES

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28129, 19 November 1956, Page 18

HIGH JUMPERS AT GAMES

DUMAS EXPECTED TO BREAK RECORD

WORLD CHAMPION’S COACH IN CHRISTCHURCH Only high-jumpers who have been clearing 6ft lOin consistently up to the time of the Olympic Games will be in the running for “the top money” according to Mr Herschel Smith, a leading American track and field coach who arrived in Christchurch yesterday. Mr Smith who is travelling with a party of 38 American tourists, is the coach of the world high jump record holder Dumas. Since Dumas broke the world record some months ago with a leap of 7ft Olin he had added another quarter of an inch to his record, said Mr Smith. Asked his opinion of Peter Wells’ chances in the high jump event at the Games. Mr Smith said that he did not know much about Wells’ abilities but he would be unlikely to be among the winners of the high jump unless he had been jumping 6ft lOin consistently. Wells, who lives in Amberley and is to represent Britain at the Games, has been jumping 6ft 4in consistently. His New Zealand record is 6ft 7£in. Mr Smith is coach at Compton College. California. He said last evening that he expected Dumas to win a gold medal at the Games and to set an Olympic record. Most of the members of the touring narty are businessmen and their wives. Their tour, arranged by Mr Smith, is of the South Pacific with the Olympic Games in Melbourne as the climax. After the Games the members of the party will disperse to return to the United States by a variety of routes. All members of the touring party were, as one man put it, “just crazy” about New Zealand. They come from 10 states and their youngest member is 12-year-old Ricki Billing who, with bis parents comes from Milwaukee. Wisconsin.