OLYMPIC TEAMS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 147, 23 June 1924, Page 8

OLYMPIC TEAMS

COMPETITORS' DIFFICULTIES/ .!

(AUSTIUUAN-NEW ZEALAND CAM.E ASSOCIATION.)

(Received 23rd June, 2 p.m.)

PARIS, 22nd June.

The Australian „ Olympic cyclists, Dempsey, Coppins, and Broadbent, each won a heat in the five hundred metres race at Velledrome to-day, but were beaten in the semi-finals. France's best amateurs were competing, and inexperience alone handicapped the Australians, who rode surprisingly well. It is their first race since landing, and experts con* sider that Dempsey and Coppins are undoubtedly equal to France's fastest riders. They were not accustomed to a high-banked track near the finish, where they were outpaced by the Frenchmen. The Australians allowed liberties in, crossing and. bumping which would not be tolerated in Australia. But for the last-minute intervention of Mr. Voss, Commonwealth Government representative, the Australians would not have been allowed to compete, as they did not possess the necessary riding licenses.

Mr. Merrett, manager of the team, who was a late arrival, was compelled, despite his protests, to pay for admission. Such incidents are •illustrative of the difficulties confronting visitors, not only the Australians, but all foreign competitors.

Spears was second in a heat of the professional Grand Prix, at the same.carnival.