THE OLYMPIAD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22504, 22 August 1936, Page 17

THE OLYMPIAD

Sir.—l wonder when the people responsible arc going to recognise the futility of sending abroad irom here teams'to play cricket and to take part in the Olympic Games. These tours cost a great deal of money and yet everv four years we see a team travelling half-way across the world to compete against people whom tbev have no chance at all of beating. 1 believe the on 1 v title ever won by New Zealand at the Games is that recently won by ,T. Lovelock. Is this one title worth all the money that has been spent on the past Games? Surely it would be better if the authorities spent the money here in building cinder tracks on which the athletes of this country could endeavour to build up to a standard of speed comparable to that of overseas stars. Cricket also conies in the same category. The cricketers here have no chance against those of England and Australia, and yet 1 believe there is talk of sending another team Home in the near future. One recalls the way in which W. Hammond treated the New Zealand bowling at Auckland in 1933. That match was a farce. That money could bo put to much better use in engaging coaches and in improving the grounds in the smaller towns. Bona-kidk Si'ort.