EMPIRE GAMES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 276, 20 November 1937, Page 4

EMPIRE GAMES

THE SWIMMING TALENT BEST FROM 15 NATIONS ENTRV CON STIFLES RECORD Already 15 nations have accepted invitations to compete at the Empire Games in Sydney next February. This constitutes a record, states the Sydney Referee. When the Games were at Hamilton (Canada) seven years ago, 11 nations were represented and 14 in London in 1934. From Bermuda, the sole representative will be Percy Belvin, a breaststroke swimmer, who recently beat the 200 metres Olympic breaststroke record of T. Hamaro, of Japan. He swam at the Berlin Olympiad and did very well, though he was unsuccessful. He has since improved out of sight and must be given a great chance of winning in Sydney. Rhodesia is sending V. Aitken, 14 j year-old wonder girl and junior champion of South Africa. She will be accompanied by three of the following four:—Miss R. Baker, 16 years; .Miss E. Lewis, 14 years; Miss N. Lewis, 15 years; and Miss J. Baker, 18 years.

Ceylon will send a men’s 110 yards freestyle swimmer. A selection has yet to be made. Scotland is sending W. Francis, of Renfrew, and Miss Margaret Hamilton, of Glasgow. It is also possible ‘hat Miss Margot Graham, 19-year-old Scottish junior champion and backstroke record holder, and Miss Margaret McDowall, a 17-year-old sprinter, will make the trip.

The Canadian team has not been finally announced, but it is expected to include 18-year-old Mary Baggaley, of Vancouver club, who is certain to prove tough in freestyle events.

At the recent Canadian title meeting she won the 100 yards sprint m 62sec, bettering the Dominion record of 62 3-ssec. ’ She then annexed the 200 yards title in 2min 26sec and the 880 yards in llmin 57 l-ssec. She is also a member of her duo's 200 yards relay championship team, which won in 2min 7 2-ssec. Her figures are much better than any th.it were registered by Australian swimmers last season. Closest are those cl Evelyn de Lacy (W.A.) and Dorothy Green (W.A.), who did 69sec and CD l-ssec in the championship for 110 yards. Both Australian girls have recorded better times for 200 yards than Miss Baggaley, but in the 880 yards her time is 20 l-ssec faster than that of Miss de Lacy when she won the 800 metres, which is 5 yards 3i inches shorter.

Another possible visitor is Miss Joan Langdon, also of Vancouver club. She won the 100 and 200 yards breaststroke titles in the excellent times of lmin 27sec and 3min 5 4-ssec respectively. Swimmers from New eZaland, South Africa, and British Guiana are still to be selected.