Games medallist takes a break — ‘back soon'

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33587, 16 July 1974, Page 32

Games medallist takes a break — ‘back soon'

John Coutts, the Commonwealth Games swim-; ming bronze medallist who has left the coach-' ing squad of Mr V. TJ Parkhouse after a 1 difference of opinion, has no intention of retiring. Neither Coutts nor Mr Parkhouse would sav what the difference of opinion was, but Coutts returned to Hastings, and he has done little training since. He said last evening that he would start training again in a week or two but he would not be returning to Christchurch “at least for a while.” Mr Parkhouse said he would have Coutts back if the circumstances were right. Coutts came to Christ-

church from Hawke’s Bay last year to train with Mr Parkhouse’s squad at Wharenui to boost his prospects for the Games. He was successful and won the bronze medal in the 200 m butterfly. After the Games he was ; chosen for the New Zealand team which swam in the I Coca-Cola invitation carnival j in England. He returned from that tour early in May. i Coutts said last night: "I I trained pretty hard before ! and after the Games, and felt like a bit of a break. 1 will decide when I start training (again whether I will enterj I the New Zealand winter i championships at the end of’ | the month.” He realises he has no chance of making the team I for the Australian winter | nationals, and was not aim- ' ing for selection, j Coutts has resolved to be at the New Zealand cham-

j pionships next season in better condition than he was I at the Games. “I will be working hard next summer on my training, and intend to be fitter than ever.” he said. Coutts intends training with his former coach, Mr A. J. Cotterill, at Napier, who also trains the New Zealand

age-group representative, R. Gempton, another butterfly swimmer. “I will miss the training companionship in Christchurch, but I was used to small squads before, and Randall (Gempton) is not far behind me,” he said. As well as the national championships next season, Coutts is aiming for selection in the proposed New Zealand Games team, a team for the Australian summer championships if one is chosen, and the world championships at Cali, Colombia, in July next year.