Morale Big Problem At Mexico

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31340, 10 April 1967, Page 3

Morale Big Problem At Mexico

(N.Z. Press Association) DUNEDIN. There will be considerable emphasis on the officials in charge of the New Zealand team at next year’s Olympic Games to reassure and build the morale of team members, in the opinion of Professor F. A. Smithells of the University of Otago School of Physical Education.

“1 think they will have a very much more demanding job than at any previous Olympic or Commonwealth Game's in that their charges will have various impairments about their chances of success,” Professor Smithells told the biennial general

meeting of the Federation of Sports Medicine.

“There has been much discussion on the possible hazards involved because of Mexico City’s altitude,” he said. “Earlier we were told that people would even die on the track. “What is the likely effect on the athletes of all this talk and conjecture, some scientific, some far from scientific? “Some will pooh pooh the thing at their peril. Athletes who write off the whole question will need careful handling by coaches to face the problems ahead of them. “As I see it, the greatest difficulty about Mexico City will be facing this question of reality,” Professor Smithells said. Adaptation Time Dr. T. V. O’Donnell, associate professor of the Department of Medicine, University of Otago, said that from a

physiological point of view six weeks was the ideal time for competitors in the endurance and semi-endurance events to adapt to Mexico City’s altitude . “The adaptation slows off between four and six weeks,” he said. “But it. looks as though a compromise is going to be reached at four weeks.” Dr. O’Donnell emphasised the importance of team discipline to avoid gastroenteritis. This meant following a strict regime and avoiding such things as Mexican food and tap water. Mr H. J. Pow, a Dunedin physiotherapist, told the meeting that adaptation to high altitude was possible in everyone, though .it came more easily to some.

“The only true revelation is practical experience. This is a must,” he said. Mr Pow recommended that the New Zealand team should be split into two sections—-

one for competitors in the explosive events, such as sprinting and weightlifting, not affected by the altitude, and the other for endurance event competitors who would need to be in Mexico City for a longer period before the games.

“Everyone should be required to reach peak performance before leaving New Zealand since there is no question of attaining peak performance on reaching Mexico,” he said. Dr. M. W. Smeeton, of Auckland, the new president of the federation, agreed with Mr Pow’s recommendation on the splitting of the New Zealand team. Dr. Smeeton, who was medical officer with the New Zealand team at last year’s Commonwealth Games, said that for Mexico City two medical officers would be advisable with the New Zealand team.