REPORT DOUBTED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22464, 20 October 1947, Page 6

REPORT DOUBTED

U.S. ATHLETES’ VISIT UNOFFICIAL INTIMATION 1 : I P.A.) • WELLINGTON, Oct. ; A message from Auckland stating that the United States athletes Mel Patton and Herb McKinley, a negro athlete, and the Australian athlete John Treloar may visit Auckland in ! February was referred today to Mr. L. A, Tracy, president of the N.Z.A.A.A. ", Stating that it was the first intimation the New Zealand Council had had of the mattery iMr. Tracy pointed, out that any such invita- >• lions must be approved by. the N.Z.A.A;A< j; and extended to athletes through their national controlling bodies. He doubted whether Patton would be able to come owing; 1 to the established practice of the American; jj Amateur • Athletic Union not to permit their :i athletes who are Olympic prospects to travel f in an Olympic year. “Also I am certain that if athletes from other countries are available to appear in New Zealand the management committee would take consideration of the fact that the Otago centre last year was unfortunate in not having an appearance by J. Fulton, United States, and Treloar. The management committee. lam sure, would make every effort to secure appearances of any such visiting athletes in Dunedin. This would be especially appropriate during the coming season in view of the forthcoming Otago centennial celebra-

tions.'*