ATHLETICS

Otago Witness, Issue 3996, 14 October 1930, Page 50

ATHLETICS

By

Amateur.

NOTES.

J• Suckling has been appointed one of the Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club s coaches for the season. At a meeting of the Canterbury Centre the action of the Christchurch Harriers bub-committee in foregoing the next Aew Zealand Cross-country Championship, and recommending that the championship be held in Auckland in 1931, was approved. Mr Veruon Smith has presented to the Otago Centre a handsome gold medal, which will probably be awarded to the athlete gaining most points in the track and field events at the first sports meeting of the season on October 18. Don M'Lennan, New Zealand’s champion cash sprinter, i s in training, and looks verj’ well (says the Christchurch Sun). He has put on weight since last summer, and if he has learned as much as he shou’d have from Lis trip to Australia he should cause the handicappers some worry. The following (says the Dominion) is this year’s record of A. L. Stevens, the Scottish Club champion, Wellington:— M'Villy Shield, 1; Ballantyne Memorial, 1; Dome Cup, 1; Nimmo Cup, 2; Wellington Provincial Championships,!; New Zealand Championship. 4: Club Championship, 1; Vosseler Shield, 1; Bennett Memorial Road Race, 1. THE OLYMPIC GAMES. Thirty-five nations already have signified their intention to participate in the Olympic Games to be held from July 30 till .August 14, 1932, according to an announcement bj T the Organising Committee. 1 hese assurances have come in response to the committee’s invitations sent out last February to National Olympic Committees inviting their nations to participate in the coming world event. At the same time the United States Government sent from Washington communications to the Governments of all Olympic countries, calling attention to the official invitations. World-wide interest in the Games was greatly stimulated by the report of the Organising Committee, given at the recent Olympic Congress in Berlin. This report showed that nearly all facilities are already available-for the celebration of the Games, consisting of 135 distinct events, taking place during 16 days and nights. The Organising Comniittee wishes to make known to the public its great appreciation of the early and enthusiastic acceptance of its invitations by so many nations. This early response, almost two years in advance of the Games, clearly indicates the international interest in the Olympic movement, and the committee is sending a special communique of appreciation to each national Olympic Committee.

The Organising Committee reports that journalists and sportsmen from many countries are going to Los Angeles in increasing numbers each month, for the purpose of observing the extensive preparations being made for the Games and securing

important data for the various Olympic organisations in their respective countries.

SIMPSON AND KISER.

A bundle of correspondence from overseas in connection with the visit to New Zealand during next track season of American athletes was dealt with at last week s meeting of the council of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association (says the Wellington Post). Through its American representative, Mr C G. Krogness, of San Francisco, the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association some time ago invited two athletes— George Simpson, of Ohio, one of the leading sprinters in America to-day, and George Bullwinkle, half-mile and mile ■unner —and recently it was stated that Simpson had accepted. Bullwinkle was not available, but as a result of further negotiations it was ascertained that Rufus Kiser, of Washington University, another half-mile and mile runner, whom Mr Krogness had recommended, could make the trip provided he was back in Seattle by April 10, 1931. Jt was decided to accept Simpson and Kiser, and in view of the excellent performances of Harlow Rothert, a noted field events exponent, of Stanford University, to approach the five athletic centres of the Dominion again to see whether they would agree to his inclusion in the team.

EMPIRE GAMES.

THE RESULTS.

VANCOUVER, September 3. It is estimated that 200.000 people saw the first British Empire Games, held at Hamilton, Ontario. This attendance was divided between the waterfront, the Civic Stadium, the arena (boxing), and the municipal pool (swimming). The race for the Sculling Championship, won by Bob Pearce. Australia, was witnessed by 50,000 persons.

.The . followin'; table shows the championships won by different countries participating at the first British Empire Games, held at Hamilton, Ontario:— Country. Championships. England 26 Canada .. .. .. 16 South Africa .... 5 Australia 3 New Zealand ...... 3 Scotland .. .. .. 1 In separate branches of sport they are:—

Swimming: Canada 6, England 6, Australia 2, South Africa 1. Irack and Field: England 9, Canada 6, South Africa 3, New Zealand 2, Scotland 1.

Rowing: England 2, Canada 1, Australia 1, New Zealand 1. Wrestling: Canada 6. e Boxing: England 6, Scotland 1, South Africa 1. Bowls: England 3.

Champions of the British Empire emerging from the meet are:—loo Yards: Percy Williams, Canada. 220 Yards- S. E. Englchart, England. 120 Yards Hurdles: Lord Burghlev, England. 440 Yards Hurdles: Lord Burghley, England. 440 Yards: Alex. Wilson. Canada. 440 Yards Relay: Miller, Adams. Fitzpatrick, and Brown. Canada. 880 Yards- T Hampson, England. One Mile: R H. Thomas. England. . One Mile Relay: Lord Burghley, Leigh-Wbod, Townsend, and Brangwin, England. Two Mile Hurdles: G. W. Bailey, England. Three Miles: S. A. Tomlin, England. Six Miles: W. J. Savidan, New Zealand. Marathon, 26 miles 385 yards: D. M‘L. Wright, Scotland. Hop, Step, and Jump: G. Smallcombe. Canada. Hammer Throw: M. C. Noakes, England. Shot Put: H. Hart. South Africa. Discus Throw: H. Hart. South Africa. Javelin Throw: S. A. Lay, New Zealand. High Jump: J. H. Viljoen, South Africa. Broad Jump: L. Hutton, Canada. Pole Vault: V. Packard, Canada. There were no world’s records, but nine new Canadian records were set —five by England, two by Canada, two by New Zealand. They were: England—l2o Yards Hurd'es. 440 Yards Hurdles, 880 Yards. One Mile, Three Miles; Canada — 440 Yards Relay, Hop. Step, and Jump; New Zealand—Six Miles. Javelih Throw. Percy Williams equalled the Canadian record for the 100 Yards.

The attendances, despite bad weather, were good, and the meeting was conducted at a profit The first British Empire Games will go down in history as Canada’s gesture of goodwill to her sister nations of the British Commonwealth. The Games opened and closed with incidents befitting such an occasion—when Percy Williams. chosen by the Empire athletes, advanced to the dais and on their behalf took the Olympic oath of amateurism, and when the whole assembly of athletes, marching under the banner of their countries, paraded to the cenotaph and laid a wreath to the memory of Canada’s dead.

PERFORMANCE OF NEW ZEALANDERS.

AUCKLAND, October 6. “ Sports meetings like the one just over will do more to bind the British Empire together than all the politicians in the world,” declared Mr R. J. Hobbs, manager of the New Zealand British Empire Gaines’ team, which returned to Auckland by the Aorangi this morning. “It was a wonderful trip and there was never a discordant note.” said Mr Hobbs. “ The team behaved like New Zealanders should, and I never had to say a word to any of them. We were like a crowd of schoolboys. and we all enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.” Discussing the performances of his team, Mr Hobbs said that he thought they had done excellently. In 17 starts the New Zealanders had registered three firsts —Lay in the javelin throw, Savidan in the six miles’ championship, and the rowing four (with a coxswain), five seconds, and two thirds, a total of 10 places. Every member had given of his best and conducted himself as a true sportsman. The defeat of the rowing eight had come as a slight disappointment, as it was considered that in the crew lay the Dominion’s brightest hopes of success. The duel that was fought out between the English eight, who crossed the line three-quarters of a lengthy ahead of the colonials, and the New Zealanders was a memorable one. ■' The winners.” said Mr Hobbs, “ were a Loudon Rowing Club eight, who had been together for two years and a-half, and had never been beaten in England. The crew, who had equalled the Henley record, were considered the best for 30 years. After their success at the Games the Englishmen said that the New Zealanders had given them the hardest fight of their experience. Generally the health of the team was good. It was unfortunate that Calder was troubled with his spine, the exact nature of which was not discovered until a few weeks ago. Calder competed in the diving events, but his injury prevented him from giving anything like his best display. What struck the team most was the ignorance of many of the Canadians as regards New Zealand. Hundreds of people with whom the New Zealanders came into contact thought that the Dominion was part of Australia, and they often asked how far New Zealand was out of Sydney. As soon as they took their quarters they hoisted the New Zealand flag and they were not a little amused when the newspapers came out with the information that the Australians had lost no time in getting their flag up. “ But I think we convinced them that New Zealand had nothing to do with Australia before we left,” said Mr Hobbs.

WELLINGTON. October 7. An interesting account of the New Zealand team's visit to the Empire Games at Hamilton (Canada) was given at the Rotary Club luncheon by Mr R. J. Hobbs, manager, who said that the hospitality that had been accorded everywhere was wonderful. They were given a civic reception at Vancouver, and similarly met at each town on the trip across to Toronto.

“ There was one thing that gave us a tremendous thrill,” said Mr Hobbs. “After each event the winner was conducted to a dais and the second and third men placed below him. The National Anthem of the winning country was then played, and the country’s flag was hoisted, the competitors standing to attention until it was at the top of the flagstafl. Our thrill came when Savidan won the Six-mile Race. The competitors in this race had to run 24 laps. When Savidan had covered 22 one of the officials told him there was only one more to go. When he finished that lap the gun was fired, and he stopped, but he was then told that that was the signal there was one more round to go. He said afterwards that he did not know how he got round, but he was so far in front that e won easily.”

Continuing, Mr Hobbs said that the team had 17 starts, and gained three firsts, four seconds, and two thirds. Savidan won the Six-mile Run. The Senior

Fours registered a win, and Lav threw ‘•* le J ave “ ne a way further than any other competitor. Lay went down to Chicago with the team, and it was good to see the Union Jack, indicating that the JNew Zealand representative’s throw was well ahead of the American flag, indicating the best throw for the United States. During the whole tour the team scored eight firsts—three at the Empire Games, one at Chicago, the Eight-oared Race at Toronto, where each four of the New Zealand rowing team contested the final, and where Elliott won the 100 1 ards and 220 Yards sprint events. “ One thing that struck us much in Canada,” said Mr Hobbs, “ was the ignorance about /Maland. Many of them thought New Zealand was only a little way from Sydney. I had with me about 250 silver fern badges, and these were the most coveted badges at the Games. The next thing that put New Zealand on the map was our success at the Games. 1 had many Government publicity books, and these were distributed.” The Games had done a lot of good in bringing Canada closer to the Mother Country. The next Games in 1934 were to be held in South Africa. He hoped the same success would be achieved there.

“ I have made an application.” said Mr Hobbs, “for the Games to be held in Wellington in 1938. It will be a wonderful show. — (Applause.) The city of Hamilton was behind the Games financially to the extent of about 25.000d01, and when we came away I was told they had broken the square. I suppose 50 per cent, of the best athletes in Great Britain and Canada are university men. By coming to New Zealand they would lose four months from their studies, so that I do not think we shall get the best men here. The intensified feeling of loyalty which was developed at the Ganics when carried hack to different countries did more good than could be done by politicians.” TOUR BY SIMPSON. NEW YORK, October 8. The Amateur Athlete, the monthly publication of the Amateur Athletic Union, states that George Simpson, the sprinter, has accepted an invitation to go to New Zealand and Australia. He will leave in December.