‘Fitness Test’ Not Compulsory

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31094, 24 June 1966, Page 13

‘Fitness Test’ Not Compulsory

(By Our Cycling Reporter)

A 120-mile road cycling race at Whenuapai on July 10, labelled by the section manager of the cycling team for the Empire Games (Mr M. T. Gamble, of Auckland) as “a special fitness test,” need not be regarded as such and is not compulsory to all members of the team.

The Press Association reported from Auckland that the race would be open to all cyclists, and would be watched by Mr Gamble. It would ensure that all cyclists selected for the games were free from injury. The report also said that a special fitness test race was required by the New Zealand Olympic and British Empire Games Association.

However, the coach-mech-anic of the team (Mr R. J. C. Peoples, Wellington) has been in touch with Mr H. R. Dutton, the convener of selectors and an executive member of the association, who feels that the “fitness test” is not' so much for the athletes at present "in season” — such as the road cyclists—as for those out of season, such as track and field athletes, or track riders.

Accordingly, the race organised io Auckland will include L. J. Byers and R- D. Thomson, the Auckland members of the team.

However, the remaining riders—T. J. Tabak (Canterbury) and D. R. Thomson (Wellington)—will ride in Levin on July 3. Rather than serve as a fitness test, because Mr Peoples is “quite satisfied that all the riders' performances are up to standard,” it will give them a competitive race nearer the length will get in Jain-

aica—2oo kilometres, or about 120 miles.

“The Press” Special Service reports from Wellington that a special 100-mile event will be held on July 3, the day after the national Hope Gibbons teams’, time trial final, because many of the riders for both Jamaica and the Frankfurt world championships will be in the district at the week-end, representing their clubs. In fact, probably all but Byers will take part in this race.

Mr Peoples said that he hoped for another race for the team in Auckland on July 17, the week-end before it left for Jamaica. But the Auckland centre had a championship time trial scheduled for that date and might not be prepared to change it Tabak cannot contest the July 10 fixture in Auckland as he is required in Christchurch early the next day for a special naturalisation ceremony arranged for him and his family. All were born in Holland.

Record Divs.—The worfd’6 record of 178 ft for breath-hold depth diving was broken when J. Mayol, a 38-year-old Shanghaiborn Frenchman, reached 188 ft in the New- Province Channel. His dive lasted 2mln laec. Laver Married.—The Australian tennis professional, R. Laver, and Mies M. Benson, of Los Angeles, were married at San Rafael, California, on Monday. '