PRESENTATION FOR LOVELOCK

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 42, 13 November 1936, Page 11

PRESENTATION FOR LOVELOCK

Famous Athlete To Be Honoured

SPORTS BODIES TO RAISE FUND

The following announcement was made at the close of a meeting of the Council of the New Zealand Olympic and Empire Games Association last night The council has unanimously expressed a desire to mark in a permanent way the outstanding service to amateur sport in general, and to amateur athletics in particular, of Mr. J. E. Lovelock, the famous New Zealand athlete. Through its representation of every amateur sport the association is in a unique position to gauge the sentiments of the sporting public of New Zealand, and the council has no doubt whatever that the people as a whole would readly support any move to make Mr. Lovelock a presentation that would express the country’s pride in his achievements and its respect for his high standard of character and sportsmanship.

The council has passed the following motion: That a fund be raised, the total proceeds of which be remitted to the High Commissioner in London, to be administered by him in conjunction with Dr. A. E. I’orritt for the purchase of such a gift as would be acceptable to Mr. Lovelock.

The method decided upon for the raising of the fund is to circularise the parent body of every amateur sport in New Zealand. The national associations will work through the various centres, and the centres through the affiliated clubs. The clubs will be in a position to receive contributions not only from members, but from the general public as well. When the wide incidence of sport in New Zealand is considered it will be seen that there is every chance of reaching the big majority of the people. However, it must be emphasised that what is desired is an expression of feeling by the whole people. Consequently the association hopes that those who cannot be reached through the sports bodies, but who are none the less anxious to participate, will not hesitate to assist by contributing. The amount, of each contribution matters little. It is more important that the universal feeling be expressed. Mr. Lovelock has not only put New Zealand “on the map’’ in the athletic world. He has shown the world that this country can produce men of the highest stamp; men of skill, determination and character, who can bear defeat with cheerfulness and success with modesty, and who embody every high tradition of sportsmanship. The association is confident in launching the fund that a ready response will be made. H. McCormick, chairman, New Zealand Olympic and Empire Games Association. BACK IN TOWN OF BOYHOOD DAYS Lovelock Welcomed at Old School By Telegrapn Press Association Timaru, November 12. Returning to the town of his school days, J. E. Loveloek was accorded a fine welcome by pupils of the Timaru Boys’ High School, and later by citizens at a civic reception. There was unrestricted enthusiasm at the school when Lovelock, who was the first Rhodes Scholar the school has produced, was chaired round the assembly hall by prefects, the cheering being deafening.

Several speakers touched on his wonderful athletic achievements, but. also stressed the fact that he had not sacrificed his career for the sake of letics. While he had made a . great study of athletics, at the same time he did not neglect his medical studies. A former rector of the school, Mr. 'William Thomas, at present District Governor of Rotary in New Zealand, gave a series of' mental pictures of Lovelock in various stages of his school career, and the speech had the effect of placing Lovelock very much at his ease in the surroundings with which he was so familiar. Mr. Thomas referred to the fact that Lovelock's athletic trainer in England was also named William Thomas, and said that if Lovelock did not call his eldest son either William or Thomas neither Oxford nor the Timaru Boys’ High School would be proud of him. Lovelock replied in light vein, but exhorted the pupils never to allow athletics to dominate their careers. He stressed the fact that they should always maintain a proper balance between the two.

Keen disappointment was felt that the Olympic oak was not available for planting by Lovelock, but he has presented it to the school, and it will be planted at a later date.

A large crowd attended the civic re ception held in King George’s Place, where the mayor, Mr... P. C. Vinnell, accorded Lovelock a warm welcome. Later Lovelock attended a sports meeting and gave helpful advice to competitors. Lovelock appeared in a new role, acting as starter for the mile race. He leaves for Dunedin to-morrow. SCHOOLBOY ATHLETICS Little Danger of Overdoing Training

By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, November 12

Referring to schoolboy athletics in an interview to-day, Mr. J. E. Lovelock discounted the widely-held idea that the secondary schoolboy was liable to overdo preparation for athletics. Boys were trained hard and long for football and stood up to it, he said. He saw no reason why they should not spend just as much time on athletics. It was in the schools that athletics could be taught, and it was there that New Zealand could well concentrate. He was prepared to give any assistance he could to schoolboy athletes and those in charge of them. He was emphatic that New Zealand should be represented at the Olympic Games, regardless of the team’s prospects of success. The Games were founded to bring nations together in friendly rivalry on an amateur basis, and New Zealand must do its part to maintain them as such. Lovelock, who was only a few hours in Christchurch, spent an hour with Ibe Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. W. E. Parry, and left for South Canterbury.