ATHLETIC NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20316, 26 January 1928, Page 4

ATHLETIC NOTES.

Br Amateur. FAREWELL TO EINO KESKINEN. On Wednesday of last week some 30 athletes assembled at the Caledonian Ground for the purpose of bidding farewell, and making a presentation to the noted Finnish athlete, Eino Keskinen. Mr Rolfe, in making the presentation, which consisted of a pocket wallet and a cigarette case, referred to the great work the champion had put in for the benefit of local athletes during his stay here. He questioned whether ever before a visiting athlete had made himself so popular, and certainly no other had worked so tirelessly in coaching and instructing the athletes in the different branches of the sport. Mr F. D. Gibson also spoke of the many good qualities of the visitor, saying that it was not only for his athletic ability they admired him, but for his real sportsmanship on and off the field. Mr Keskinen, on rising to reply, was greeted with cheers. He thanked the men for their kind words, and said he was always willing to show anything lie knew to anyone seeking knowledge of the different branches of games in which he took part. He wished to thank all sports, especially Mr and Mrs Gibson, for making his stay in Dunedin so enjoyable. HINTS BY AUSTRALASIAN CHAMPION. Before departing for Wellington, Mr Keskinen gave the following hints for the benefit of local field men:— Shot putters should practise a great deal of standing putts. They should learn the correct style, which, after constant practice, becomes mechanical. They must be fast on their feet. Place the shot firmly against the shoulder. Do not grasp it tightly, but keep all the muscles of arm and shoulder as loose as possible. In taking the first step or jump do not let the shot go any higher than at the period of starting. The correct way is for the shot to take a downward movement and then an upward at the time of delivery. He noticed several start with an upward, then downward, and finally upward. This was caused through taking too high a jump at start of a putt. The discus must be taken slowly, especially the first turn. Speed will come after patient practice. Never let the arm come in front of the shoulder—keep it well back. . Make the last movement snappy, and bring the arm upward to the point of delivery. The discus event is the one which requires most practice. The champion remarked that the javelin throwers showed promise, several of the boys having good styles. However, the event required a great deal of practice, especially standing. One should bring the arm well behind the shoulder, and hold the javelin out at the full extent of the arm.

In practising for the pole vault dig a hole about 18in to 2ft away from a wall. Put a mark about 10ft up the wall, and attempt to hit it with the feet. This practice is carried out by the champions such as Hoff, Barnes, and Carr, and gives the vaultcr confidence when in actual comp tition. The following are the best performances of the Finn:—Javelin, 183 ft; pole vault, lift 6in; discus, 118 ft: shot putt, 42ft; hop, step, and jump, 43ft Gin; high jump, sft Sin; 120yds hurdles, 16 4-ssec; 400 metres, 53 3-ssec. No other athlete in Australasia, and perhaps only four or five others in the whole world, can show a record like this. OLYMPIC POSSIBILITIES. Here is the opinion of Mr A. C. Kitto, a selector of the New Zealand team, on the possibilities for the next Olympic Games as disclosed at the Australasian amateur athletic championships:— *‘ J. Carlton, of New South Wales, with perhaps a little coaching and the little bit of level-headedness that makes a good runner better than others, I feel sure wil not disgrace his country. C. Stuart, a team mate, put, up a wonderful performance in the quarter, and his 50 l-ssec stands out alone in the meeting. As a quarter-miler, he will stand out in work; competition to-day. E. M. Davidson and L. B. Mason, the Victorian high junipers, are both champions, and I feel sure Victoria will have a suitable representative in Davidson. Outside of Stan Lay and Randolph Rose. New Zealand has nobody who impresses ns an Olympic possibility. NOTES. The Anglican Club will stage an evening sports meeting at the Caledonian Ground this evening. Six events will comprise the programme —100 Yards, 300 Yards, and 1000 Yards Handicaps, Hop, Step, and Jump Handicap, a Mile and ahalf Cycle Race Handicap, and a Relay Handicap. Good entries have pome forward, so that a splendid evening’s sport should be witnessed. Provided that the provincial centres agree that the trainer whom J. Standen asks should accompany him on a tour of New Zealand, the Dominion is likely to be visited by this phenomenal youngster during the present season. Standen, who is only 18 years old, is an oustanding amateur cyclist, and his time for the three miles recently was a lot better than that of any professional. At the Australian national games, held at Sydney this month in preparation for the despatch of the Olympic team, Standen won the 1000 Metres in Imin 16 2-ssee, the Senior Five Miles Championship in 12min 24 2-ssec, and finished first in the Mile, but was disqualified for interference with D. Gray. In this event Standen finished ahead of R. W. (“ Fatty ”) Lamb. According to advice received from A. Haslam, Canterbury Rhodes Scholar, who is in residence at Oxford, W. G. Kalaugher, last year’s Auckland Rhodes Scholar, has already distinguished himself as an athlete by winning the 120 Yards Hurdles, the High Jump, and the Long Jump at the senior sports at Oxford. “ It is grateful to know,” states the letter, “ that the tall Maorilander has begun well in the new conditions.’’ C. E. Low, oi Christchurch, was second to Kalaugher in the Long Jump. , , . , , r James Carlton enhanced Ins already hue reputation by bis performance in the 100 Metres on the first day of the Australian national games (says the Christchurch Star. He met a very fine field, in which were the redoubtable “ Bundy ’’ Parker (whom he had previously defeated in New Zealand); C. J. Lane. who also competed at Wellington: H. Day (Queensland) ; and H. D. F. Ferguson, A. Walker, and ■RssgkC. Smith, of New South Wales. Parker, who had had the benefit of four days in Sydney, was quickest into his running, and at 90yds led Carlton. The last-named put in a great finish, and, despite Parker’s efforts, the. St. Joseph's boy reached the tape first in llsec. Dr O. Peltzer, the German champion and holder of the world’s record for the j half-mile run, arrived in America last month. It was reported some time ago that he would also come to Australia and New Zealand, but in view of the failure of the German authorities to sanction such a tour it is doubtful whether the runner will be seen here. He is anxious to compete at the next Olympic Games, and is evidently of the opinion that a visit to America will serve to improve his prospects. When reminded that he bore no permit from the German amateur sports governing body for the tour to America, he remarked: “ I come to study sport conditions and to see your country. . . . After six weeks—l might run, who knows? They arc afraid in Germany that I might not be so good in the Olympics if I run in this country. I believe I would be better.” According to information from America. Lloyd Hahn, who figured in a scries of memorable contests with R. A. Rose in Now Zealand, is regarded as a certainty for the next Olympic Games. He is/Still America’s leading middle-distance runner, but after the Olympic Games next year he proposes to hand up his shoes for all time. At the present time Hahn is preparing for the indoor athletics campaign, and he is keen to have an opportunity of measuring strides with Dr Peltzer, the German champion now in America. There has been practically no rclaj running in Canterbury this season (comments the Timaru Herald), and that is a great pity, for Canterbury can produce at least two teams this season capable of doing the mile in under 3miu 50see, and at least three or four clubs in the city i should be able to line out fairly good teams. The raising o£ teams should help

to create bigger club inter«rtf<» it irouli be interesting to see inter-club reiaj> added to the programmes at the second series of evening meetings, x they are added, they should be organised mucn better than they were when an attempt was made to put such races on a tew seasons ago. The usual practice of handicapping ralay races is to be abandoned in Wellington, and in future all .such races will be from scratch. This decision was arrived at at a recent meeting of _ Wellington centre delegates, after hearing a report from the handicappers, who had declined to operate in this capacity for future relay races owing to recent happenings in which their work had been in question. To some extent this forced_ the hand of the centre, hut for all tnat_ it i{? looked upon by most follower's of the sport in Wellington as a wise decision, and one that will he for the general advantage. It is possible that the decision will be to the advantage of the bigger clubs, who have lengthy lists of competitors to call on, whereas the country clubs will not stand much chance with a limited roll of runners, and very few first-class pertformers included in the list. CYCLING NOTES. Judging by the large number of new riders who are joining weekly and ths enjoyment the public appears to be deriving from the sport, the Otago Amateur Cycling Club has before it a prosperous future which rests with the wheelmen to make or to mar. Though as yet no improvement can be seen in the standard, the comparatively numerous forthcoming meetings will no doubt be the means or achieving the desired result. G. Smith, J. Simon, and W. Lucas made their first public appearance at the Otago Centre’s meeting last Monday week, amj each showed that with more experience and training he will do well. Lucas has plenty of pace, but at present cannot stay a distance. Smith, an ex-High School lad, has a free, easy action, and will quickly improve with coaching. W. Fergus, W. Isaacs, T. Crossan, CFellowfield, and Crookshanks are other new riders who began training last weels, and as all are likely looking men more will be heard of them. T. Dillon is showing a marked improvement in his riding, and when given & better handicap should catch the judge’s eye. This rider might pay more attention to training. That game little performer H. Cooper seems to be having a bad spell. F,ar!y iu the season Cooper was nearing tiie top of his form, but since his spill from hie cycle he has dropped out of the limelight; however, he should go well on February 4. A. Rosenbrock, having returned from camp, has begun training, and as he has ridden well all along, a ■vein to this popular rider should not be far distant. The Deans brothers are two of the most enthusiastic of this season’s new riders. Both, while in action, appear to be part of their machines, and when in condition will make their presence felt. G. Walker and D. Galvin have stated their intention of taking up cycling in the near future, while it is rumoured that several youthful residents of Green Island and surrounding districts have been induced to join the amateur cyclists” ranks. It is to be hoped that this report proves correct, for, if the amateur sport spreads into the suburban areas, the standard should rise.

Bob Ravenwood is at present moving well, and with more solid training should place another win to his credit. On his last performance I. M’Millan appeared to be a little stale, but will no doubt give a display of his old dash shortly.

Bert Harris is a tried’ all the way, but seems to be unfortunate in having to ride the greater part of his races on his own. Harris would do better from a back mark. Keenly awaited by all the local riders is February 4, on which date is to be held a big meeting, at which the New Zealand champion. Frank Grose, the exOtago _ champion Nicholson, the ex-Dun-edin rider F. Healey (who has done well in Christchurch this season I. and Eddie Palmer, ex-professional cyclist, will appear. Competition between these and the local cracks (Bremi'ord and Co.) will be keen, and cycling out of the ordinary should be witnessed.

Lddie Palmer is tit and well, but should not be expected to do great thintrs for some meetings to come. Palmer has been well boosted, and this may have a detrimental effect on his riding at first. It is hoped that Palmer will not be handicapped “ out of it without a try out. - The last occasion on which Frank Grose, the New Zealand amateur champion, rode hers he received a well-deserved ovation from the crowd who saw him in action. At meetings whore the attndances have been small, Grose has refused to accept prizes for races he has won, and as such examples of sportsmanship sink deep in the minds of sport-loving public, Grose is assured of a warm welcome wherever he may appear. Ever ready to help the " lesser lights ” in the sport, Grose is greatly_ admired by all with whom he comes in contact, and is not only a credit to his club and province, but to New Zealand.

tW.' v Harry Watson has been definitely selected to go to France to take part in the great “ Tour de France ” road race, a movement is on foot to raise funds to send O’Shea away with him. The Australian authorities have been in touch with the New Zealand LTiion on the matter, and a guarantee of £SO has already been maao. To send O’Shea away a sum of £4OO is necessary, and it is intended to make an appeal throughout the Dominion. There is no doubt that O’Siica would ride with credit in a race of this description, and every effort should bs made to secure the necessary ir.onev.