TOUR OF JAPAN

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32391, 2 September 1970, Page 18

TOUR OF JAPAN

Team Of N.Z. Swimmers A New Zealand team of five swimmers, plus a manager and coach, will probaby be invited to visit Japan tn March, April or May of next year, the council of the New Zealand Swimming Association was told last evening. A letter received from Mr J. G. Hogan, a New Zealand swimming coach who is at present in Japan, said that the Japanese would cover all expenses and would possibly take three more swimmers if the New Zealand association was prepared to pay their air fares. As requested, a ranking list of New Zealand swimmers had been sent to Japan, said the council’s secretary (Mr A. W. Barrett). Mr Hogan’s letter said the Japanese were not interested in any divers being included in the team.

The chairman (Mr A. J. Donaldson) said Mr Hogan’s letter was very refreshing news and such a tour would be a great addition to New Zealand's* international programme in preparation for the Munich Olympic Games in 1974. Records.—Thirty-nine national records set by the swimming team at the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games and later at the British swimming championships at Blackpool were ratified. Eighteen of the records were set at Edinburgh and 21 at Blackpool. The largest conributor was Miss J. Wright, who set nine new marks in women’s freestyle events. from 200 metres to 800 metres.