WORLD SWIMMERS.

Northern Advocate, 5 June 1924, Page 5

WORLD SWIMMERS.

PERFECTION OF AMERICANS. PRAISED BY AN EXPERT. (Received 2 p.m.) LONDON, .Tune 4. Frank Beaurenaire, the Victorian .swimmer, who arrived by the Aquitaniii from America, in an interview, said he had visited all the important athletic and swimming clubs en route from San Francisco to New York. He saw all the leading swimmers in action, including Weissmulloi', Kahananioku, Fancy, Lester. Smith, Gertrude Ederle, Helen Wninright, and Aileen Riggan. The general standard of American swimming, he savs, is wonderful. They should be able to send an Olympic team to Paris which would be almost in vincible. Beaurepaire paid a tribute to the wonderful training methods. Swimmers are able to train HI the year round under expert coaches, masseurs and medical superintendents. Everything possible for making champions is placed at their disposal. He is convinced that the big thing in all forms of athletics is tinining by qualified coaches. Until Australia is prepared to spend similarly she cannot hope ro reach American perfection. "Weissmuller is the n>ost perfect, swimmer I have seen," said Beaurepaire. "I think he must win the sprint. Kahanamoku is now 34 years of age. and ho may lack the essential dash when the test comes. I travelled California with Arne Borg, who is twice the man he was in Australia. He registered wonderful performances in Africa, including lOmin 37sec for half a mile. He will be the most difficult man to beat. The American divers, notably Clarence Pinkston and Al. White, are in a class of their own. The women swimmers are good, but they hold a profound respect for the New Zealander, Miss Gwitha Shand." —A. and N.Z.