OLYMPIC SWIMMERS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 7 February 1925, Page 9

OLYMPIC SWIMMERS.

,\ G P R OSPECT OF SUCCESS. ! NCT GIVEN A FAIR CHANCE. Some pertinent questions in regard to representation by New Zealand swimmers ac tlie Olympic Games aaf dealt AVitn in tne annual report of tire Noav Zealand Amateur Swimming Association. In reterenc-e to. tnese matters it says: “At the Olympic- Games our representatives did not meet with success, although Miss bliand reached the fina. in the 400 metres event. Neitner was able to produce anything lilte tne form that they had repeatedly shewn in New Zealand. It will he a matter for serious consideration in connection witn future Olympic, Games, .whether it Is of any use sending a Way competitors unattended by a trainer familiar Avith their styles and requirements. The failure of both Miss Shand and Mr. Heard to reproduce the foym they had shoAvn iii Netv Zealand has been attributed solely to the lack of competent oversight of their training. Both deA-eloped faults of which, they. were conscious, but-which they Avere unable to remedy unaided. In addition, Miss Shand was extremely' unfortunate in suffering from a very bad cold during the time that the events'she competed for Avere being contested. Taking into consideration the great handicaps under Avhich our representatives laboured, it must lie recognised that they acquitted themselves with credit both to themselves and the country they represented and are deseiA-ing of the Ayarmest congratulations. At th© Olympic Games Miss Shand Avon the fourth heat of the Ladies’ 400 Metres Championship, and sAvam third in the first semi-final. In the final, however, she was. so badly affeeeted bv a cold that she Avas unable to, complete the course. NeA-ertheless she gained tAvc. points lor New Zealand. In the 100 metres event Miss Shand swam second in her heat and third in the semi-final. In the men’s 200 metres breast-stroke event Air. Heard swam third in his heat. In the contests between the British Empire arid '"the United States,' ATiss Shand swain second in the ladies’ 400 metres event, and .was a. member of the ladies relay team, which swam a very creditable second to the winning American-team. At the Tailteann Games, Miss Shandwon both the 400 metres and 200 metres events easily, Avhile Air. Heard 3wain, second in tlie 200 metres breast-stroke eA-ent.

“The Games have served again to emphasise the very unsatisfactory footing on which* matters cf, overseas representation are placed in .New Zealand. When Miss Shand and Air. Heard AA-ere nominated there was no funds in hand Avherewith to defray their expenses, and it AV-as only by a last-minute effort on the part of a few enthusiasts that it was possible tp send Aiiss Shand aAvay. As it AA-as. neither competitor Avas sent unde,r condition's tliat. giA-e even a remote prospect of success. The mistakes of the 1920 Gomes Avere repeated, Avith the same unfortunate results. A number of the clubs and centres loyally did thenpart in meeting the cost of the Dominion’s ren resen tation, hut the method was, at best., haphazard and uncertain, and iintih the A-erv last minute there was no assurance that- the competitors could be sent away.

• “The vexatious delay to Avhich Aiiss Shand, especially, Avas subjected militated greatly against successful training, and emphasised -the need for some better And more systematic method of handling Olympic matters. With the commencement of the coming season there will be inaugurated a neAY system of financing -that, it is Honed, will place the finances for -overseas purposes on an assured, basis, and prove the wav for ou,r competitors in the future being gh-e,n a better, chance than have those in the past to do themselves and New Zealand justice in these important international contests. The lessons af the past tAvo Olympiads point unmistakafilv to the fact that- unless something ' of this kind is resolutely ser\-ered' Avith. any future participation in Olymnic Games will be a waste of time and'money.?’