AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13846, 8 March 1907, Page 7

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Sin,—At the recent conference of amateur athletic oentres, held in Christchtirch on February 22 tlio secretary of the Otago Centre, when speaking against the proposed reciprocal agreement between the association and the Athletic Union, is reported (o liavo said that "the association would be altogether wrong in attempting to recognise professional runners." Now, theso remarks &ro altogether inconsistent with tlio actions of tlio Otago Centre in regard to Crokor, an amateur distanco runner who gave promise of being a worthy opponent of tlio Now Zealand champion, Hector Burk. At a time when Croker's nowcrs would havo been put .to tlio test—at tho recent amateur championships,—his name disappeared altogether from all amateur competitions. And for what reason ? It appeals that on December 26, 19EM, ho competed with professionals, and for money prizes, at. the Dunback sports, and consequently lost his amaieur status. However, as staled ■ before, he won several prizes as an amateur when ho was actually a. professional; and now, when the amateur centre officials werot informed of the matter, what did they do? The matteriias liccn considered, and Crokcr has, I understand, been ordered to stand down till two years have expired—from when Ido not. know. Ilis ease has not come before the public in any shapo'or form, but, on tho contrary, the officials of the Otago Centre, and amongst them Mr Ilamann, aro doing their best to whitewash his case. Now, this is the centre that, through iis- secretary (Mr Ilamann), stated that " tho association would be altogether wrong in attempting to reeogniso professional runners." Yet, what is Crokor but a professional runner? He has won amateur races sinco competing for cash without having stood down two years or been rcinslatod. And his ease-has been hushed up by the officials who are entirely opposed t_o professionalism! If Mr Hamnnn can explain the position in regard to Crokor sai isfactorily it might liolp to throw some light on his attitude at tho rcccnfc conferenco of centres—l am, etc., Cross-country.