RECENT MILE RACE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23413, 1 August 1939, Page 16

RECENT MILE RACE

WOODERSON BACK HOME INCIDENT BEST FORGOTTEN Bronzed and declaring that he was perfectly fit, • Sydney Woodcrson. British holder of tho world's mile record, returned to England on July 3 from tho United States, but declined to discuss the incident which caused him to stumble, and lose the "mile of tho century." 1 have given my full version of tho race to tho News Chronicle," ho said, "and I am not going to say any more about it." In his story, which appeared exclusively in the News Clironiclo on Juno 19, Wooderson said he was confident that ho would lmvo won had not Hideout bumped into him and .caused him to stumble. "Tho'incident is best forgotten," ho said, "it would only stir up bad feeling to go into it again. 1 have no bnd feeling toward tlip Americans. Nor do 1 think they 'are bad sportsmen. "They gavo mo a wonderful timo and showed wonderful hospitality. 1 had an amazing reception after tho race, when tho crowd invaded the arena. 1 only hope Fensko will comb over for tho international meeting at tho White City on August Bank Holiday, for I am confident I can boat him." Wooderson added that there was never any possibility of a record. "For one thing," he said, "tho wind was too strong, and for another, no one challenged mo during tho first half-mile, and there was no incentive to try to beat the clock."