INTERNATIONAL ATHLETES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23704, 11 January 1939, Page 4

INTERNATIONAL ATHLETES

BACKHOUSE v. BOOT The highlight of the meeting of international athletes at. the Caledonian Ground next Saturday afternoon should be the return meeting of Pat Boot (New Zealand) and Gerald Backhouse (Australia) oyer the mile, and having regard to the thrilling race staged and the brilliant time returned at Wellington last Saturday, another classic contest may be looked for. Backhouse would benefit from his run at Wellington, and since he beat Boot at the Empire Games, honours are now even between them over the mile. The Victorian sprinter, E. W. Best, has yet to be defeated in New Zealand. He has had eight wins for eight starts, and over 120 yards and 220 yards has broken and equalled the New Zealand record respectively. He will be opposed by local sprinters, and among the other attractions will be the first appearance this season of A. A. Cameron, one of New Zealand’s greatest field athletes, who will take part in the shot putt and discus throwing. R.‘ Watson, champion walker of New Zealand, will be seen in action, and Miss Betty Forbes, Empire Games representative, will compete in the women’s high jump. The first event is timed for 2.30 p.m., but at 12.30 a 20-mile race will be contested by the three Otago Marathon representatives—G. L. Austin, C. G. Gibbons, and G. R. Colston.