SWIMMING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 21 June 1924, Page 11

SWIMMING.

There is just a, possibility that John Weismuller, recognised as the fastest swimmer the world has seen over short distances, will not represent America at the Olympic Games. The United States Department of Labour has been asked to establish his American citizenship. Weismuller was born in Austria and was taken to America by his parents when a year old. Unless it can be established that his father was naturalised, Weismuller, still being a minor, will not be considered a citizen. Captain Paul Boy ton, one of the most talked of swimmers half a century ago, died on April 19 in. Brooklyn, New York, of pneumonia. He was 76 years old. For many years Captain Boyton was a swimmer witli an international reputation. One of the high marks in his career was in April, 1875, when he gave a demonstration at Cowes, before Queen Victoria, of a life-preserving dress he had designed. 11l his india rubber costume Captain Bcyton astounded the crowds by performing various stunts, such as firing distress rockets and catching fish. He created another sensation shortly after the exhibition before Queen Victoria, by swimming the Channel from GrizNez to South. Foreland. He w;as in the water 23£ hours. He would have been officially recorded as the first swimmer to conquer the Channel if he had accomplished the feat without the aid of his rubber costume. It was on August 24 and 25 in 1875 that Captain Webb crossed from Dover to Calais, his time being 21£ hours.

OLYMPIC POSSIBILITIES. AMERICANS PREPARING. (Australasian.) Though falling in the Southern Hemisphere, the thermometer is—of eourse-~risin<* rapidly on the other side of the Globe. Or bps the mercury already risen as far as it is wont to do ? Anyhow, my budget of swimming news from America suggests that the snow and ice had taken their leave before April. Perhaps it is not altogether agreeable to read of swimming while endeavouring to f revive one's blood circulation before a blazing log fire, but- the American happenings during April are of particular interest to Australians.

Americans are training earnestly for inclusion in the Olympic team, which is expected to be Australia’s most formidable- opponent at Paris during July. J ust as Mr. H. Bennett, the Australian swimming official, said that the Australian swimming team was the strongest that had ever left these shores, so Mr. J. T. Taylor, the chairman of the American organisation, predicts that- the American team will be the strongest ever sent to Olympia, from America. But Mr. Taylor goes further than Mr. Bennett, and says that he expects the Americans to lower every existing record. Undoubtedly, America has in Johnny Weissmuller (the 19 years old champion) a swimmer who has proved his worth, but Sweden has Arne Borg, and Australia has “Boy” Charlton. Between them the three have gradually lowered .all the world’s records for the middle distances. First, Weissmuller acquired the habit, and it was unusual for a, week to pass without a new world ,s swimming record being reMsby the Chicago hoy. That was three years ago, but it ‘is possible for a i champion to break records until further orders in America. Americans call them world’s records, but they are seldom recognised by the International Swimming Federation, which will adopt only one record for each distance. In America they do things differently, and Weissmuller was only a successor to the many other Americans who had dozens of records to their credit. First, a champion discovers that he lias broken the world’s record for 440 yards m a 60ft tank. Then he looks about, until he locates a tank measuring blit, land accordingly establishes a world s record for 440 yards for 61ft. tanks. And so on, he gradually increases or decreases the length of the laps and establishes American world’s records until the supply of tanks runs

That is what Weissmuller did for six months. But his swims were all excellent performances, and his times had never been equalled, some of .them still standing a,s recognised records. hut 1-m.i eom P<?ted with blit little success at the Antwerp Olympiad, came into the limelight l niter capable instructors his stroke was perfected, and crash again went Die times for all the middle distance Borg established his six records rtiil recognised by the Federation, in short tanks in Germany and Sweden On*tent to .allow his records to stand, he tounng Europe when Charlton, °J , l ? A y* ars ' shattered his record of 11.9 1-10 for 880 yards But owing to an alleged tidal effect Charlton s time was not recognised Then the two met and Charlton defeated the Swede over 220, 440 and BSO yards, lowering Borg’s time for the half-mile, ami equalling his record for 440 yards At Honolulu, less than two months ago, Borg lowered both times am-in bv covering 880 yards in 10.43 3-If,, and 4 10 yards m 4.59, which was 0.19 4-5 better than his record. But his for meg records still stand as official' is w r te Taylor believes that it i 3 Weismuller's turti to make records

again, •and pel haps he is rigid. However. the Olympic events will bring the world’s three best swimmers together under equal conditions, and if" will be seen which of the three is the real champion. At a meeting at Chicago, Olympic selectors were present, and it is expected that the results of that meeting will have an important bearing upon the selection of the Olympic team. According to American ideas, three world’s records —for certainsized tanks—were established, and others were equalled. Although these times will not be recognised, they show that the Americans are swimming to times equal to fhe world’s best. Weissmuller won National championships for 50, 100, 220, and 500 yards, in addition to competing in a polo match and swimming for the winning relay team. A 1 White, of Stanford, and Dick Howell, of North-Western University, showed up prominently, too, while John Faricy did 100 yards breaststroke in 1.7 1-5. In the 220 yards event the first four—Weissmuller, Howell, Breyer, and Adams—covered the furlong under 2.20. Thus, America has a. team of four capable of completing 880 yards—the Olvmpic relay distance—within 9.20. The time for this event at Antwerp in 1920, when America* took the honours, was 10.4 2-5. The team then comprised Nlqrman Boss, Mcflillivray. Kahanarnoku. and Pua Kealoha. Mention of Kealoha reminds me that bis brother, Warren, has at last struck form again, and is reported to have covered 100 metres, using the back-stroke, in 1.12 1-5, which lowers his former record of 1.14 4-5 established at Antwerp during 1920. Norman Boss, although he .went to Hawaii to train for the 1924 Olympiad, has now decided not to seek inclusion in the American team.

Several American women have been performing well. The women’s Olympic tests will be held on June 7 and 8. Miss Sybil Bauer is the most promising woman swimmer, and is considered to be one of the best in the world. She is the ony woman bolding an open world’s record, having defeated the times of both men and women for 440 yards back-stroke. Mrs. Frances Sehroth is another looked upon as a certainty for a trip to Paris, but, as Australia will have no women representatives this year, their prospects are of but minor interest. Incidentally, Hilda James, an English girl, has lowered the world’s record for women of 1.34 for 100 yards breaststroke. Her time was 1.29 3-5. The Americans have no women who have approached.this time. SWIMMER JUMPS INTO ARABIAN SEA. * during the- voyage of the Orient liner Ormonde across the Arabian Sea, T. Adrian, wlio is travelling with the Australian Olympic team as coach and adviser to- the young Australian swimming champion Andrew Charlton, and who had been affected by sea. sickness, jumped overboard, but was rescued. Adrian was a member of the A.L.F. and returned to Sydney suffering from the effects of shell shock and gas. Before the wia.r he was a fine swimmer. He has done little race swimming since his return from the war and has confined his attentions to coaohin°- youim swimmers. He had not been in the best health before sailing.