Bleak Outlook For Gymnasts

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30562, 3 October 1964, Page 11

Bleak Outlook For Gymnasts

PREVIEWING 'he prospects of the British gymnasts at the Olympic Games, “The Times” suggested that their chances might be compared with a 10-year-old boy going out to bat against Lindwall and Hall; except that the boy might by cour-> age or luck hit a six: the gymnasts even with courage or luck had no chance of any success. Unfortunately, the three New Zealand gymnasts at the Games, Pauline Gardiner, Theodora Hill and Jean Spencer, are probably below even the British gymnasts’ category. The New Zealand girls have had little international competition and certainly

not the years of specialised training and competition that is necessary to gain prominence in world gymnastics. Russia and Japan are expected to dominate the gymnastics as they have done in recent years. How hard is the New Zealanders’ task is understood when it is realised that Russia and Japan have more than 100,000 trained gymnasts from whom they can choose their Olympic representatives. New Zealand has only a handful. Even though the Olympic selectors have emphasised that the Olympic Games selections were not based “on gaining experience” that is about all the gymnasts should gain. There is no possibility of a medal, or even a high placing.

event, his chances are not rated very highly. Nevertheless, he will have . the support of W. D. Baillie and N. I. Scott and this could assist him considerably. He is expected to make his main effort in the 10,000 metres, an event in which he will also have the support of two other New Zealanders, Baillie and A. B. Magee. Running as a team they could undoubtedly assist Halberg in his gold

unlikely that she will be placed. Last, but by no means least, is the shot put exponent, L. R. Mills. More than two years living and colnpettag with the world’s best has improved him considerably and although he can have no hope of beating the world record holder, D. Long (America), he should be able to finish in the final six.