CHAMPION ATHLETE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21098, 4 February 1932, Page 6

CHAMPION ATHLETE.

RETIREMENT OIF J. CARLTON. END OF REMARKABLE CAREER. James Carlton, Australian and New South Wales sprint champion, told a representative of an Australian paper that' he' "would enter the Catholic seminary at Douglas Park, and that his {racing career had ended. "I have quite made up my mind," said Carlton. "I will not be 'going to Melbourne for the championships, nor will I consider going to Los Angeles. lam going to study for the priesthood, and my running days are over." Carlton's decision ifi not, a sudden one. He has been considering the step for some time. "We have let him decide lor himself," said Mrs. Carlton, the runner's mother. f'We have known that he has been seriously thinking of fntering Hip Church, but we have not influenced him in any way. I cannot discuss the matter. It is a matter entirely for himself." Carlton himself had little to say. "1 have made the decision and there is nothing more I can say," he said, when questioned. Carlton's decision will come as a great surprise to the sportirg world. In several quarters it was understood that he was contemplating such a step, but few people expected that, he would abandon his running career at a time when it showed so much promise. When Carlton •was chosen to represent, Austialia at the Empire Games in Canada in 1930 he declined to go, stating that he was unable to leave Australia at that time, but ■wished, if selected, to represent the Commonwealth at the 1932 Olympic Games. It is certain that he would have teen selected to go to the latter. Carlton ifi one of the best amateur runners ; that Australia has ever produced, and was thought by many good judges to bn a potential world's champion. He has r.ot been beaten in a sprint race in Australia since 1927, and has recorded some remarkably fast time;;. The best of his running career was still before him, as he is only 23 years of age, and the times he has recorded this season show that he is running better than ever he did before. [Recently he has been credited with some remarkable performances. Although he will not receive official recognition for his achievements, he twice equalled world's records—first in a 100 yds. race at Newcastle, in which he registered 9 2-ss, arid again in the 220 yds. championship of Australia, in which his time was 20 3-ss. This time has been equalled only once before on a circular track. Carlton represented Australia at the .Olympic Games at Amsterdam in 1923, •when he was only 19 years of age.