OLYMPIC GAMES TEAM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22389, 8 April 1936, Page 21

OLYMPIC GAMES TEAM

OMISSION OF MISS LEYDON A Hkhald reader, "Olympic," writes as follows: —I was pleased to notice that astonishment has been expressed at the non-inclusion of Miss Mona Leydon in the New Zealand Olympic team to compete at Berlin. Why this girl has been overlooked is a mystery to keen followers of swimming, as it has been very obvious that we have still to see her best over a middle distance. This is fully borne out by the manner in which she has shattered records this season, and I am sure that with serious opposition she can still better her tunes. For some strange reason the outstanding ability of Miss Leydon is not fully appreciated in Auckland, until perhaps points are required toward the winning of a shield, and only then Miss Leydon has done all that has been asked of her to date, including a very successful tour in Australia, but still no move is made by the swimming council to further her claims. The catch cry when any team is being sent from these shores has always been its advertising value in bringing New Zealand to the notice of the world at large. What better advertisement could we have than Miss Leydon, who, in face of physical disabilities, has persevered until she has become perhaps the fastest lady swimmer in the British Empire over a middle distance. Even if she only reproduced her New Zealand form 1 am sure it would astound the critics, who would never stop writing about her performances under such a. handicap. But that she is capable of doing far better 1 feel certain. And who knows, she may bring to these shore our second Olympic title? Why Miss Leydon's claims have not been given more publicity I cannot understand, but I sincerely trust that every elfort will bo made to get her away, even if she has to go as an individual nomination.