N.Z. OLYMPIC TEAM

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 254, 23 July 1936, Page 6

N.Z. OLYMPIC TEAM

Early Days in London

The New Zealand Olympic team had a warm welcome on their arrival in London, and, thanks to Dr. A. E. lurritt, the manager, and J. E. LovelocK, a member of 4he team, soon settled down, and were not long in gettmg down to serious training. Mr. H. Amos, secretary of the New Zealand British Empire Gaines and Olympic Association, has just received a letter from V. P. Boot, the Canterbury distance.runner, by air mail, in which he gives au account of the team's doings after their arrival in London.

Dr. Porritt met the New Zealand team at Tilbury Dock.?, Boot states, and got their luggage through the Customs with the minimum of trouble. The team were welcomed at St. Pancras station, London, by the High Commissioner for New Zealand (Sir James Parr), Mr. H. T. B. Drew (New Zealand Government Publicity Officer), and J. E. Lorelock. The team, Boot states, .were very pleased with their quarters at Norfolk Court, which are quiet, comfortable anfi central, and the food is excellent.

, Training was started the day after arrival. Thomas, the coach, seemed to be pleased with the style of C. H. Matthews and Boot, but suggested that Boot might carry his arms a trifle higher. On the Sunday after their arrival, Dr. Porritt took the team for a drive about London, introducing them to many points of interest and several of the larg&rt parks. A most enjoyable day closed with afternoon tea at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Porritt.

w ßoot states that every member of the team put on weight during the voyage Home. He himself had gained 41b., but was not concerned about this, as he prefers to train down.

The boxers had nil put on weight, but none of them anticipated any trouble in getting down to his limit. The boxers were pleased with what Mr. Sam Chapman had done for them, and were delighted with his well-equipped gymnasium. They could see no reason why they should not be at the top of their form for the contests at Berlin. Boot goes on to state that Ma/tthews and he had entered for the Brittah A.A.A. championships. They liked the cinder tracks, but, it was too early to know how their legs 'would stand up on them. G. R. Gyles, the cyclist, honed to have a race in a fortnight’s time.