ATHLETICS

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 90, 13 October 1920, Page 3

ATHLETICS

INTERNATIONAL TOURS

From the contents of a letter which has been forwarded to Mr. T. W. Leslie, well-known in local athletic, circles, it appears that there is a, desire among noted American athletic champions to visit New Zealand and Australia. The communication was addressed to D. L. Mason, who with other' New Zealand athletes was closely associated with the Americans competing at the Inter-Allied Games in Paris last year. The writer, G. A. Blonder, a world's champion, says: "I have wondered whether there is a possibility of bringing a team of about five or six men to New Zealand and Australia. Ido not know when the big meets are held there, but thought that you would bo good enough to let me know this. I could get a. man for the sprints, 100 and 220, a 440 and 880 man, a hurdler and jumper, and a long distance man, and do the weights, discus, shot, and javelin myself. This;would allow our making up a relay, eith&r one mile or medley. Ido want to get your opinion on the matter, and particularly whether you think that the plaa would be acceptable in .both New Zealand and Australia. . . . The main thing is that we could get together again. Personally, I would certainly jump at the chance to go over to see you, and I have about a thousand others her© whq would take the laap at the first opportunity. Eby, A believe, is with me from the RtArt, and Kelly. Littlo Joie Kay, the miler and distance man here, would go along if the trip was an actuality, but it all being in such an embryo state he does not care to bind himself."

The letter concludes with a request for immediate information as to tho possibility of such a trip being accepted, and for all other details. Mr. Leslie has already sent a. communication to Australia in connection with the matter, a,nd is also placing the proposal before the New Zealand athletic authorities, in the hope that the tour might be arranged. There is a movement on foot to have other champions in New Zealand this season, and the presence of an American team would make the season more notable. Among those actively engaged in making arrangements for the visit- of champion athletes is the Wellington Caledonian Society, which is holding another big gathering at the Baein Reserve on Boxing Day. D. L. Mason, who won the Inter-Allied,Boo metres race in Paris, and Hunt, the Australian champion sprinter, together with the members of the Olympic team, H. E. Wilson, and G. Davidson, are expected to compete at this meeting.