ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIPS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10510, 11 February 1920, Page 3

ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIPS

To the Editor “N.Z. Times.” Sir, —Ami so, according to the cable, Mr Davis, malinger of the New Zealand 'loam that competed unsuccessfully at tho championship meeting just held at Sydney, attributes its non-success to want of form on tho opening day and to ‘the heavy and rough, nature'of the track on the second and concluding day. One really wonders what reason would havo been given for failure on the third day had the meeting extended over three days.

No, no, Mr Davis, why not admit, as a sportsman, that (he New Zealand team was defeated on its merits, and'because it was not the combination it was heralded as and fondly, thought to he in some quarters. That it was certainly not up to the standard of some previous combinations that have represented New Zealand anyone with a fairly sound knowledge of athletics past and present would have no hesitation in admitting. Analysing the team we have two excellent exponents of field events (shot and hammer), a first>elasß"hurdlcr-'over the shorter distance (though-by-no means a world's champion, ... a<s .incompetent timekeepers and enthusiastic local supporters would have* us believe); a middlo distance, runner who has, it is evident, lost much of his former brilliance; a sprint runner who, for the time, beinpr at any, rate, has also lost the form which enabled him to show to such advantage as a<. soldier-athlete in the Old Country, n. fair„,TjpJo jumper, and a fifth-rate walker. With Dormer and Lindsay up to their previous best form the Dominion, team might confidently have been expected to show to much better advantage, and with say n walker of the class of Dave Wilson or If. Kerr and a hurdler of tho Georgi) Smith type, equally good over _ both distances, euccess would havo been assured. The team as it was was simply not good enough, that is- the- kmi»- and short of it, and every credit must l'o given to New South Wal"s for -a merited and substantial victory. Excuse for defeat is never sportsman- | like, and in the present instance' the excuse offered appears, on. the face of it, to hi ridiculous. : "OLD HAND.''