ATHLETES' TOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23221, 15 December 1938, Page 7

ATHLETES' TOUR

[VISIT BY AUSTRALIANS BACKHOUSE AND BEST QUESTION OF TIME INVOLVED [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON. Wednesday Advice has been received by cable from the Amateur Athletic Union of Australia by Mr. H. McCormick, secretary of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association that permission has been granted to the two Victorian athletes, G. Backhouse and E. W. Best,'-to visit New Zealand at the invitation of the Otago Amateur Athletic Centre. There is, however, a proviso which will probably cause some concern and which may lead to the itinerary having to be modified. It is that the tour is to be subject to compliance with the International Amateur Athletic Federation's rule prohibiting athletes from being away on tour for more than 21 days, except under special circumstances. Arrangements had been made with the Otago centre for two Victorians to appear in Wellington on January 7. Whether, in view of the proviso attaching to the tour, tho Wellington centre's arrangements may be affected is not at present known. Under the 21 days rule an extension can be given an athlete by the controlling association in his country if he is selected by that association to take part in Olympic Games or to represent his country in matches against another country. There is provision also for the Council of the International Amateur Athletic Federation to make extensions in other cases, if it deems proper. SURPRISE EXPRESSED DISPENSATION NOT ASKED FOR [by TELEGRAPH —OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON, Wednesday Surprise was expressed this afternoon that the Australian Union should adopt the attitude it has in regard to tho tour, of Backhouse and Best under tho. 21 days' rule. An extension can be given an athlete by the controlling association in his country if" he is selected by that association to take part in Olympic Games or to represent his country in matches against another country, and there is provision also for the Council of the International Amateur Athletic Federation to make extensions in other cases if it deems proper. The rule is quite definite, but apparently it has been overlooked by tho Otago Centre, or else, in view of past experience of visits by Australian teams, it was not thought necessary to apply for an extension. Since the introduction of this rule, the NewZealand Amateur Athletic Association, when it has been inviting teams from. say. America, has always been able to get a dispensation of the rule from the International Federation, but for which it would have been impossible to bring athletes from so far afield.