OLYMPIC GAMES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19049, 28 June 1924, Page 6

OLYMPIC GAMES

PREDICTION OF HARD STRUGGLE. AMERICAN COACH’S VIEWS. (By Lawson Robertson, Head Coach of the American Olympic Team of 1924). The stoutest opposition America will face in the Olympic games of 1924 will come from Finland —the land of wonderful athletes. In ratio to population there is no nation on the globe possessed of more athletic stars than that country of the Northland. And the striking fact is that each and every one is trained in much the same fashion that we train athletes in this country. The explanation for it is simple. After the 1912 Olympic games Finland decided that it no longer would be merely an “also ran” in the infer national combats. So it sent Laur: Pikhala 1o this country to make . study of training methods. Ik spent several weeks at Harvard, six weeks at the University of Pennsylvania and at several other colleges, and athletic clubs. He studied our training programmes from every viewpoint. And then he went back to Finland and installed the system there. It has been in force since, which a<* counts for the fact that Finland waf able to send such a perfectly trainee team to Antwerp in 1920—and is sc splendidly drilled for 1924. ENCOURAGE ATHLETES. The Finns, encouraging indulgence in athletics, as did the Greek of centuries ago, have set aside an annual governmental appropriation for the purpose of developing youngsters. Neither money, nor time, nor patience has been spared in Finland's official programme as regards its own athletes. And so it’s a foregone conclusion that its team of 1 924 will bo a wonder aggregation—one perhaps infinitely greater than that of four years ago. At this time it is impossible to get a definite line on who will be who on Finland’s team beyond the veterans. For the Finns have carefully shrouded the identity of its new athletic wonders, perhaps with the idea of making something of a surprise attack upon all its foemen iu Paris. But,, if the Finns have produced since 1920 merely six or eight great athletes, and I understand they have at least a dozen new wonders — then we are due for the greatest Olympic track and field battle of al time. For the Finns have enough veterans from 1920 to press us hard. If they are aided by some brilliant new comers the menace to our hopes of triumph becomes only the greater. MADE GREAT RECORD. The Olympic games of 1920 uert made up of 30 events —of which ve won ten firsts. That was a splendid showing. Yet Finland. with only about one-third as many athletes af we sent into the frays, won nine championships, took four seconds and three thirds.

If it accomplished so remarkable a record four years ago, with a team in nowise as great as its 1924 aggregation promises to bo. then Finland’s importance as a rival becomes easily apparent. The biggest star of the Finn team undoubtedly will prove to be P. Nurmi, an extraordinary runner. H<! w<»n the 10,000 meters race in 1920 and also was first in the 10,000 me • ors cross country’ run. Nurmi took a second in the 5,000 meters race and was the greatest point winner on his team.

Europe acclaims Nurmi the gre. *• es l long distance performer in the world at this time—and Europe ni.-'.y be right. Nurmi, since 1920, han smashed innumerable running marks, and by running the mile i n 4.10 2 5 established a new world’s record for the distance.

Nurmi, undoubtedly will run in the 1,500 meter, the 3 000 meter team race and the 10,000 meter cross country. If an American caiin d head him to the wire he has all th<«*< events at his mercy, for Great Brit l nin, France, Australia South Africa Denmark, Sweden and Italy' do not seem to have anyone who can step with him. MANY OTHER VETS. In addition to Nurmi the Finn veterans of 19 20, who are almost certain to be members of the 1921 team are: V. Tuulos. winner 1920 running hop, step and jump; J. Myrra winner of juvelin throw; U. PeUone’i, second in throwing javelin; J. Johanson, third in javelin throw; P. Eauist, javelin thrower: V. Porhola. winner of 16-pound shot-pvi; J. Torpo. shot-put er; E. Ni klandvr, winner of discus throw and second in putting 16-pound shot; A. Taipa’ •. second in throwing discus in 1920* champion in 1912: J. Niittymaa, who has thrown the discus 154 feet; 1”. Lehtonen. pentathlon winner: H. Kolehmaitien. winner of niarathn' : H. Lilmatainen third in 10.000 meters cross country’ run; H. Labtinen, third in pentathlon: J. Vilen. 400 meters runner. Those are among the 46 mon Finland will send to Paris, and ever? mnn of the group is n star. If Finland has some new satellites in». der cover, then it means that our boys must fight to the last ounce of energv for victory on the athletic field of France. PARIS. June 2C>. Heard, the New Zealand breaststroke swimmer, has arrived, completing the, team. As Purdie,is unable to rnako feathcrweight, ho will fight lightweight.