OVERSEAS ATHLETES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20540, 15 February 1935, Page 12

OVERSEAS ATHLETES.

To Appear at Lancaster Park on March 2. The international athletic meeting at which the British and Finnish visitors will appear will be held at Lancaster Park on March 2. The visitors should be at the top of their form when they reach Christchurch, and one of the most outstanding meetings for a long time is anticipated. The programme for the day has been completed by the Canterbury Amateur Athletic Centre. The visitors include two Finnish international field athletes. Yeikko Perasalo and Matti Sippala. and four British runners, G. L. Rampling ( 440yds 1. J. V. Powell (880yds). R. Murdoch (100yds) and R. M. Craske (one and three miles). The programme is as follows: Invitation scratch races or short limit handicaps—looyds. 220vds. 440yds. 880 yds. one mile or three miles. Open handicap events—looyds, SSO yds, hop, step and jump, high jump, shot put. javelin throw, discus throw. Women’s events—looyds (handicap). 100yds scratch race (Eugene Spitz Cup). Inter-club scratch events, parade of athletes, 220vds hurdles (A. B and C grades). 100yds (B and C grades). 440 yds (B and C grades>. one mile (B and | C grades), 220yds (D grade), 880yds (D grade). Referring to the visitors, the “ Sporting Globe.” in commenting on the performances at the Centenary Games, l said: —“ Pride of place goes to Matti Sippala. who established new figures for the javelin and discus throws. In neither event did he meet with serious opposition, and he made it apparent that Australia has much to 'earn about field games in general. If those who specialise in this branch of athletics have not profited by Sippala’s presence among them, then his visit

—— : . was not really worth while. It is not necessary that they should copy his style. In fact, the Finn's method of throwing the javelin did not suggest itself as the acme of grace and perfection. But points about the holding of the spear and the position of the body at delivery should be closely studied. It was noticeable that he carried the javelin high, whereas most of thq, Australians brought it up from near their hips. There was nothing faultv about Sippala’s delivery of the discus. w