OLYMPIC GAMES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10440, 20 April 1912, Page 8

OLYMPIC GAMES.

NEW ZEALAND SWIMMING REPRESENTATIVE. fJPSB, Press Association.] WELLINGTON, April 20. Maloplm Champion, the Auckland ' «tfmm«r, who arrived here on Wednesday with the intention of departing for London to compote in the English championships and Olympic games at Stockholm, experienced some difficulty la making satisfactory financial arrangements prior to his departure. He Understood when he arrived that Christchnrch would contribute £SO towards lis expenses, in addition to the £SO raised in Auckland. Late last evening Champion received a wire from Mr .Hawk, president of the New Zealand ; Bwinnning Association, guaranteeing j 800. At midnight Champion boarded !*be Athenio, which sailed at an early tour this morning. He will be nominated for the Olympic games on the receipt by the committee of the Auckland guarantee. iTha secretary of the New Zealand' Council of the Swimming Association ftates that the difficulty in connection with Champion's expenses had arisen through the Olympic Council in Wellington refusing to nominate Champion V™*?* the sum of £IOO was guaranteed. Auckland had previously guaranteed nil the necessary expenses, but this would not satisfy ths Olympic Council, and it Was only through the personal guarantee of Mr George Harris that Champion' Was allowed to Sail this morning. A meeting of the New Zealand Council of the Swimming Association, in conjunction with the Canterbury ' Centre, was called for to-day to discuss ter, and to make arrangements for his going, by some other route if he was unable to catch the Athenic. The Canterbury Centre is taking active steps to raise the £SO guaranteed by Mr Harris.