OLYMPIC TRIALS

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30856, 15 September 1965, Page 19

OLYMPIC TRIALS

10 Nations Competing

(N Z.PA.-Reuter—Copyright I MEXICO CITY, Sept. 14.

The “little Olympics” sports meeting to be held in Mexico City from October 11 to 17— a “dummy run” for the 1968 Olympic Games—is assured of solid international backing, according to the Mexican Sports Federation. Ten countries have already decided to send athletics teams: Britain, Finland. France, Italy, Japan, Rumania, Sweden, Russia, the United States and West Germany.

The tournament is intended Ito give visiting athletes and i their trainers and doctors ample scope to check on the I much-publicised effects of Mexico City’s altitude of 7500 ft above sea-level. Events will include track and field sports, boxing, cycling, fencing, gymnastics, swimming and diving.

Mexican officials are inclined to dismiss scare stories which have appeared about the serious risk to health of the rarer air at this altitude. One spokesman said: “Of course we know that Mexican athletes, being used to this climate, may have the edge on f »reign sportsmen.

“Naturally we hope to take advantage of this, just as any team does on its home ground. “But we have no history here of fatalities attributed to altitude and certainly no healthy athlete should suffer any discomfort.”