TRACK ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19221, 9 January 1926, Page 8

TRACK ATHLETICS.

tn these days when there is almost universal worship of outdoor sports, the attention of enthusiasts is apt to be divided among a multiplicity of them. Ball games of various kinds dominate the situation. When the devotees of lawn tennis and golf—two of the most universal—football, cricket and baseball have been numbered, few countries in the world will be found missing from the roll. With this great access of popularity one of the most ancient forms of athletics has hardly kept pace, for foot-racing cannot be said seriously to challenge lawn tennis, for instance, in popularity. Yet, as has been pointed out by an enthusiast, fleetness of foot is an invalyablo adjunct in almost every game. Its importance to the footballer needs no emphasising. Within narrower limits, the cricketer and the tennis player are helped if they are fleet of foot, or, a quality which usually accompanies fleetness, quick on their feet. It may be argued that racing speed is not essential to these players; perhaps it is not, but the accession of pace likely to come from competition on the track would help them. In spite of its value in this way, in spite of its healthfulness if properly regulated, running does not flourish in an open-air country like New Zealand to the same extent as other forms of athletics. There are at present in the country two runners from overseas. Each has a world-wide reputation, yet their arrival has not caused one-tenth the interest that would be shown were, say, a tennis champion to visit the country. In many ways it is a pity, for foot-racing, possibly the oldest form of athletic competition, is worth preserving and cultivating. New Zealand, without neglecting other branches of athletics, should be able to spare more support than is usually given the good oldfaßhioned test of speed on the track.