“WILL TRY TO WIN,” SAYS LLOYD HAHN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17781, 26 February 1926, Page 8

“WILL TRY TO WIN,” SAYS LLOYD HAHN.

AMERICAN ATHLETES ATTEND CIVIC RECEPTION

The American athletes, Jackson Y . Scholz and Lloyd Hahn, were tendered a civic reception in the City Council Chambers at noon to-day by the Mayor, Mr J. K. Archer. There were present representatives of all the amateur sports bodies in Christchurch, as well as a fair sprinkling of citizens. In the course of his remarks Mr Lloyd Hahn said he was going to do his best to win in to-morrow night’s big race.

The Mayor said I the visitors must find such a visit irksome in trying to keep at the top of their form, but as good sports they w’ere sure to do that, and the public of Christchurch could look forward to something out of the ordinary to-morrow night. The Mayor said they were present to welcome not only two great athletes, but two American citizens. The relationship between New Zealanders and ! Americans was becoming more and more friendly, and visits such as this were assisting greatly in this respect. The visit of Messrs Scholz and Hahn -was largely due to Mr C. S. Thomas. (Applause.) Both gentlemen were living up to their reputations, which was a very difficult thing to do, especially when the reputations were so good. No visiting athletes had ever performed so consistently, and no previous visit had ever aroused so much interest.

“I asked one of our visitors if he was hoping to .beat Rose,” said the Mayor, amidst hearty laughter. “He replied ‘Y r es/ I then asked him if he expected me to say I hoped so, and he replied ‘No/ That was an indication of his true sportsmanship. (Hear, hear.) He means to beat Rose, and Rose, of course, means to beat him. It is the true sporting spirit when a man likes to win, tries to win, and if he doesn’t, takes it in true sporting spirit.” (Hear, hear and applause.) The Mayor concluded by expressing the hope that the visitors would have an enjoyable stay here, and would carry back to the American people greetings from New Zealanders. Mr C. S. M’Cull} r , president of the Canterbury Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, said it seemed remarkable that New Zealand had had within four years four visits from outside athletic teams. Australian papers had commented most favourably on this fact. It was, indeed, a great achievement for so small a country. The amateur sports had been entirely kept going by those sportsmen who looked to clean sport. (Hear, hear). In amateur sport the best man won. (Applause.) lie would like to congratulate Mr Rose on coming down to meet Hahn for the third time- in Christchurch. (Applause.) The Mayor asked if Mr Rose was in the audience but it was explained that it was the New Zealand champion’s modesty that had kept him away from the reception. Mr G. G. Lockwood, secretary of the Canterbury Centre, said the amateur sport had been recovering very slowly since the war. “ Athletes are not bred in shoals,” he declared. Hearty laughter and applause ensued, everybody recognising this was an innocent pun upon the name of the American sprint champion, whose name is thus pronounced. The sole object of the present tour, said Mr Lockwood, was to get back the interest the sport deserved. Some people had resorted "to art unions as a means of stimulating interest in sport, but the athletic people agreed to carry out if possible annual tours until the supply of the world’s champion athletes gave out. They did not expect the support of the public all the time, but they did look for support in undertakings such as the present. At the call of the Mayojr three hearty’- cheers were then given for the visitors.

Mr J. Y. Scholz, in replying, said he would like to read a letter which he. had written that morning and which he intended to send to the secretary of the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States. In it he Spoke of the high standard of the sport in New Zealand, and the sportsmanship of New Zealanders had never once been in doubt. The hospitality extended to them everywhere had been great. There was excellent material in New Zealand for the next Olympic Games, and all these athletes wanted was proper training to bring them to the fore. Interest in amateur athletics was far greater here than at home. The read- 1 ing of the letter was followed by applause. Mr Scholz said he was sorry Mr Thomas was not present, as he had met that gentleman in Honolulu in 1924, and he had to thank Mr Thomas for arranging a tour which he would remember for the rest of his life. lie hoped the performances they had put up would in some measure justify the hospitality that had been shown them.

Mr L. Hahn said he had been looking forward to the trip to Christchuruoh, which place he regarded as one of the cities of New Zealand, if not “the” city. The things that had jpeen said of them that morning were a little too flattering. The meeting on Saturday night was sure to be successful. “I’m going to try not to disappoint you,” said Mr Hahn, and hearty laughter ensued, as the statement was a little ambiguous in connection with his race with Rose. “It will be a good performance, and I’ll try to win, but I know you don’t care for me to win. (Laughter.) May the best man win.” (Hear, hear and loud applause.) Mr Hahn said he had spoken to a great many people who were travelling through New Zealand, and they all spoke very highly of the people and of the hospitality extended to them. Cheers were then given for the visitors, followed by the singing of “They Are Jolly Good Fellows” and a verse of the National Anthem.