Canadians Create Fine Impression

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27291, 18 January 1950, Page 2

Canadians Create Fine Impression

The fact that the Empire Games have suddenly become a reality is mainly due to the arrival of the Canadians, who have made a great impression as sportsman, writes Noel Crump, 1934 and 1938 Empire Games representative, in a special message to the Daily Times. They were agreeably surprised at the magnificence of their reception and the high standard of the village at Ardmore—two triumphs of organisation which augur well for the success of the g?mes. The swimmers were soon down at the Olympic pool and were staggered by the size of the bath and the stands. Canada can boast of no pool longer than 33 1-3 yards, they state, and their trials were held over a 25-yard stretch, which takes some of the glamour from their reported times. They can be expected to be prominent in finals, however, as they nave at the last two Empire Games. , , Their coach is a hard task master, and before entering the water ah swimmers carry out vigorous warming up exercises on the bathside. They have been training at the Olympic pool in the mornings and at the King s College 33 1-3 yards pool at Otahuhu in the afternoons. An especially favourable impression has been made by Peter Salmon and Irene Strong, who are both their country’s best sprinters at all three styles in their respective classes, but all the members of the team appear to be in surprisingly good condition after their long sea voyage.