SWIMMING.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17124, 20 April 1921, Page 5

SWIMMING.

BECEPTION TO LUDY LANGEE. A civic welcome to Ludy - Langer, . the Urdted States world's ex-champion swimmer, was given, in the City Council Chambers yesterday afternoon. There was a fair attendance,- which included, several members of the New Zealand Council, the Canterbury;.v§wfnimihg- Centre;- and promin-j ent swimmersi - The Mayor (Dr. Thackei) said that Mr. Langer had impressed himself on the world es a champion swimmer. He came from a country which was the. home of all kinds of sports. The citizens of Chriatchuroh.welcomed him to the city, and hoped that his stay in the Dominion would be one of joy. ■Mr W. H. Benson (vice-president' of'.the New Zealand' Swimming Association) pointed out that it was the object of / the. governing' body of swimming, in getting champion swimmers to visit the Dominion, to further'edu- ; cation in the sport. Miss Bleibtrey'B recent visit had been beneficial to local swimmers,; anil: had helped in some measure, by the : coaching given, in enabling Miss G.> Shand to J win . the New Zealand, Ladies' Championship. It was the intention of the Assooia-. tion to engage a coach from the United States as soon as finances would permit. Mr W. K" Simea (president of the Canterbury Swimming Centre) also addressed a few words of welcome to Mr Langer.^ Mr Lapger said he took the honour of the reception as being . due-, not only to ; hun- ; self, but also to his country, America, whioh was quite friendly with He-had met with warm receptions everywhere, and had felt at home all through his tour. The good feeling between .the United States and Great Britain and her colonies had been strengthened by the good sporting spirit shown- at the .Olympic Games; some other countries* representatives did not show such a fine sporting. BpiriU Miss Bleibtrey, on returning to Australia, had remarked: that Miss Shand, of Chnstchurch, had shown much promise as a swimmer.. Swimming was a good, clean sport, and from what he had «e£'of the men at-tlfc head of it in Few Zealand he felt sure it would go ahead by leaps and bounds. (Applause.)