OLYMPIC ATHLETES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21292, 20 September 1932, Page 12

OLYMPIC ATHLETES

NEED OF NEW ZEALANDERS CINDER TRACK ADVOCATED The need for a cinder track on which to train New Zealand athletes for the Olympic Games was stressed by Mr. J. W. Savidan, a member of the New Zealand team which competed at Los Angeles recently, who returned to Auckland from Wellington yesterday morning. In his opinion this necessity was more urgent than the best trainers which money could

procure. "New Zealand will never do well at the Olympiad unless her athletes can have the use of a cinder track," he said. "Grass is totally different from cinders, and to expect runners to go straight from one to the other and do well is asking the impossible. A man would need about six months to become accustomed to the cinder track after the grass.

"New Zealand and Australian athletes at the last games did Jiot have sufficient time to train on the cinders," said Mr. Savidan, "and the danger of attempting to force matters was shown when two of the Australians injured their legs. Had the track been a grass one New Zealanders would have done well. Under the circumstances the New Zealand team did not disgrace itself and the Dominion's representation at the Games was well justified."

Advancing for his reason the fact that their form was unreliable, Mr. Savidan stated that it was not worth the expense to send women athletes to the Olympic Games. He paid a tribute to the fine living accommodation and other arrangements in connection with the Olympiad. Everything possible was done for the comfort of those competing and the New Zealanders had thoroughly enjoyed the experience.