Olympic Swimming May Have 10 More Events

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30578, 22 October 1964, Page 6

Olympic Swimming May Have 10 More Events

(NX Pres£ Association— Copvnpht) TOKYO, October 20. Australia has proposed that swimming events at future> Oiympie Games be increased by 10 races—five each for men and women. The Australian Olympic team’s administrative officer, Mr S. Grange put this proposal to yesterday’s techmeal committee meeting on the FJ.N.A. congress.

Mr Grange, who was elected chairman of the international technical committee, said today that his proposal had been adopted unanimously and would now be put to the next meeting of the International Olympic Committee. The proposed new events are:— Men.—loo metres backstroke, 100 metres breaststroke, 100 metres butterfly, 200 metres freestyle and 200 metres individual medley. Women.—2oo metres freestyle, 200 metres backstroke, 200 metres butterfly, 200 metres Individual medley and 100 metres breaststroke. Limiting Numbers Mr Grange said that the proposal had a good chance of being adopted because the committee had removed the objection which the 1.0. C. had placed in the past to an increase in swimming events. The 1.0. C. had objected previously to any additional swimming events because it would mean an increase in competitors. However, the technical committee had agreed that the maximum number of swimmers to each country would remain at 38 men and 33 women. Mr Grange said that the committee agreed with Australia’s contention that Olympic swimming programmes were “far too thin and inadequate.” Public Unsatisfied “We can’t continue to ask the paying public to watch only two or three events on

any programme,” Mr Grange said. “The track and field section includes a wide range of events and so the relative importance of swimming justifies that it, too, should have a full programme,” he added. The federation also agreed that in freestyle events swimmers should not in future be required to touch with their hand on turning, but that a touch with any part of the body could count. Mr E. Scott, of Brittan,

treasurer to F.1.N.A., explained that there had been a feeling among members that the event allowed complete freedom of style,” and there should also be freedom of touch.” The “tumble turn” technique had been developed to such a degree that it was essential to legalise the question of “the touch,” in order that the task of the judges already very difficult—should be easier.