ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 894, 13 August 1910, Page 12

ATHLETICS.

THE NEXT OLYMPIC GAMES. (Bi Mebcbbt.j September 3.—Australasian Cross Country Championship (Tasmania). Soptember 7.—New Zealand Cross Country Championships (Invercargill). . ...' . The English A.A.A. Championships were held at Stamford Bridge on July 2, but unfortunately English athletic files received by last mail only extended up to' July 1, so the results thereof are not yet available. Reg. E. Walker (Natal) and V. L. Ramsdell (University of Pennsylvania) met in a 100 yds. scratch race at the Molineux Grounds, Wolverhanipton, on Juno 25. Walker won by three-quarters of a yard in 10 l-ssec. It would thus appear that the champion, right ou the eve of the English championship, was picking tup form. Where the World's Best Meet. Although the next Olympic games am not to be held until July, 1912, the International Committee already has the arrangements in hand, Stockholm is to be the venue, and the Swedes, intend to leave no stone unturned to make the occasion worthy of its predecessors, according ti, an account in tho Euglibh "Field" of a meeting of tho executive held at Luxemburg on June 11, 12, and 13. The names of the delegates present make strange reading for a mere nthletic meeting, and the gathering appears to have been an august and representative one. The following answered the roll-call r—' . ■ For Germany, Baron von Venningen; for England, Rov. R. S. do C. Laffon and Mr. Theodore A. Cook; for Belgium, Count Henry de Baillet-Latbur; for Bohemia, Dr. Jiri Guth; for the United States of Anerica, Mr. Allison V. Armour; for Finland, Bnron H. de Willebrand; for France, Count Albert dc tier do Sauviguy; for Hungary, M. Jules .de Muzsa; for Italy; Count Brunetta d'TJsseaux (lion, secretary) and Signo'r A. Brunialti; for Norway, Captain Sverre; for Sweden, Colonel Black and Count Clarence von .Rosen; for Switzerland, baron Godefroy do Blonay (lion, treasurer). M. le Baron Pierre de Coubertin presided. ' Tho Swedish members b'ad with them Mr. Edstrom, vice-president of the Olympic Committee, and Mr. Hellstrom, their secretary, who were present when tho programme for 1912 was being considered. Dr. Martin (of tho German Olympic . Committee) also attended. Letters ,of apology for unavoidable absence were received from Lord Desborough (England), who had: been detained in London on urgent business; from Baron de Tuyll (Holland), who was ill; from M. Callot (France), whose; son was the officer in command of the illfated submarine Pluviose, which went down with all on board; and from Mr. (loombes"(Australia and New Zealand). Huge Preparations. The Swedish delegates reported that, m view o"t' the heavy., expenditure entailed in carrying out tne last games in London (nearly .£80,000) a fund-raising naiu. paign was already in progress, with very encouraging results to date, a sum of no less than .fjiO.OOO being in sigiit. Of this the Swedish Government has promised .£40,000 as a free grant, and over ,£4OOO has been subscribed by the Swedish sporting organisations, who guarantee a further if necessary. It was further stated by tho Swedish members, that it was ■ Likely that the Home executive would be able to arrange free bqavd and lodging for all visiting 'competitors. ■A proposed athletic programme was submitted, including all the usual Olympic events as regards flat racing, but some novel suggestions were approved of in tie field, games. Tor instance,- in the shotputting a!>d similar .events '(discus and javelin-throwing, etc.),' it is intended that each competitor shall throw his'implement with each hand, the distances of each throw to be added together for the total performance. This is to be an additional event to the usual .one-handed, method, which etill stays on the programme. ' At the suggestion of the English delegates, a ten kilometre walking race (just over sii miles) was added. .'■ Brooklyn Harriers' Scratch Race. Last Saturday's threatening weather was responsible for the abandonment of the Brooklyn Harriers' excursion to Taita, and a change of venue to Lyall Bay fot the decision of the five miles scratch race set down, for tliaf day. On the arrival of the pack at Lyall Bay, it was found that the "trailers".wero missing, but the breach was filled by P. Wilton, who .went out and marked off a course of roughly five miles, and almost immediately on returning lined up among the competitors , to cover the distance a second linie. Needless to say, ho was unable to gain a place cfter his earlier exertions, although hoiding a good position" for the greater portion of the race.Tlie course led across the sand-dunes to the gasometer, over- the football 'fields, then south through the golf links in the direction of Breaker Bay, and back, to the starting point by a circuitous route. Tho pace set at the beginning was necessarily slow on account of the. heavy going, but after Miramar was reached a stronger pace was maintained by the leaders, who began to quickly open up a gap on the field. Half a mile from home C. Murray and J. Don wero together, but over the last furlong' Murray sprinted best, and Stained the verdict by a few yards. F.' Delaney finished a good third. Or Ihe whole, the coitHK-M'tors made a gold showing for.a first attempt over the distance, especially in face of. the adverse conditions, both atmospheric and underfoot. The close finish Between the placed men promises well for a good race when the.club championship comes up for decision next month. To-day an ordinary elub run will be held from Thorndon Baths. . Wellington Harriers.

Wellington Harriers broke oil past records . for distance in their outing last week. Starting from Thorndon Baths lit 3.15, they plugged away steadily through rain and mud until their return at 5.30, having covered fully fifteen miles in the ' meantime. Under the leadership of the club captain, a course was shaped to Kaiwarra, up the old road lo Ngaio, thence to Khandallah and Johnsormlle, sticking closely to the road all the way. At Johnsonville a vote was taken on whether the run should be extended, and as the "ayes" had it, the puck pushed on to Paparangi, returning by the'lower road to the Ngahauranga Gorge. By this time the runners presented a sorry spectacle, being wet through and liberally smattered with mud; but worse was in store for them, as on reaching, the bottom of the gorge a blinding rain-storm met them. Under these conditions the long ,i;un home was commenced. At Kaiwarra a temporary halt was called,-before the run in was started by the vice-captain. Evidently everybody was keen to get home, as ■' a solid pace was , set from the whistle, with the result that at the half distance C liowberry, P. Wilton, and C. Lamberg were together, with a commanding lead. Entering on the- Esplanade they were still together, but / four. hundred yards from the finish the pace became too hot for Lamberg, and he dropped'back . a few yards, while. Howberry and Wilton kept going almost locked together until the finishing-post was ' neared, where Rowberry just-managed to get his nose ahead, after what was, probably the most exciting fight for first honours at any ordinary club run yet held. . Entries close to-day fci the, championship of the Wellington' Club, and judging by the form displayed by. some of the younger members the result of the race -should lw hard to pick. A newcourse has been mapped out for this year's event, in which there will be a minimum,-'of hill and road work and plenty of fences and broken country to negotiate. It lias, been decided thnt the trophies won in this event, as well as' in oilier club races of the season, will bo presented at a social evening which is to Ik tendered to the members by Mr. Bennett (club president) and his wife at the close of tliu season. Wellington Harriers run from Brooklyn to-day. ■ . ■ • Invercargill Trip and Finance. Keen disappointment will be folt by the local harrier, clubs at the poor offer made by the centre in regard to Wellington's representation in the New Zealand Cross-country Championship. An

offer made by the Wellington Harriers to conduct an inter-club test race in order that an opportunity should be given the centre to select its strongest team was accepted by the centre, which, however, will not assist the selected team financially any further than by paying its nominntiou fee. This practically means that each man will have to pay his own expenses, as neither of the harrier clubs has anything worth mention--ing in the way of a cash reserve. In view of this obstacle it will not be surprising if Wellington is not represented at the race, which is to be decided at In-vercaj-gill next month, although it is understood that the c'.ubs are making a big endeavour to get a combined team away. .