An Olympic "All-rounder.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1758, 24 May 1913, Page 12

An Olympic "All-rounder.

If I can get liim I would rather brintr a boy like "Jim" Donahue, who holds second honours in the Stockholm Pentuthlon, owing to Thorpe's disqualification, lie can hurdle, run a fair 220 yds., polo vault up to lift. Gin. or a shade better, broad jump 22ft. to 23ft., put the shot, throw, tho discus and javelin, and is good for about sft. Bin. in the high jump. My idea is to (jet men who aro strong and capable of going through a loiig, tedious trip and make themselves agreeable, and start in anything they aro asked —•always bearing in mind a man cannot be expected to be overworked.

A Modol Team. Personally, I would suggest a team as follows— 1. A sprinter who can look after the 100, 220, and -$40 yards, with a possibility of also being able to broad jump. 2. A man ablo to run anything from 880 yards to 5 miles, 3. An all-round man able to polo vault, broad jump, javelin, possibly run hurdles, and high jump. 4. A hurdler who will willingly enter for other events besides his hurdles.

Admirablo Crichtons All. This, then, is a sample of the good things that Mr. Ummack has in Btoro for us if the visit can be brought into being. Could one wish for better? And, moreover, what better answer can oiio want to the oft-repeated cry that tho American athlete is t'ho world-beater ho is because ho is nothing bht a specialist? Why, nearly every mail mentioned is a team in himself.

The Educational Aspect of tho Tour. This brings us to what is really tho chief object of tho tour, and why no stono should bo left unturned to bring it about. Wonderful as theso performances read to us, they aro quite within tho Ecope of our athletes—it thev know how. That is the great point. We cannot do theso things—not because wo are in any way athletically inferior, but because wo do not know, and are not taught, how—and for this reason alone tho project is worth straining every nerve for. It is now incumbent on tho Australian States and tho Now Zealand centres. Harriers and Rugby at the Park.

Says my harrier correspondent:—"Today is a big day for local harrierism. For ouce. at least, enthusiasts in the sport are to gratify a long-cherished desire to bring Cue winter branch of athletics under tho notice of the public. This happy consummation has been brought about by arrangement with the Rugby Union oilicials, and .this afternoon the scheme oi filling in tho usually dreary interval between spells with foot running is to receive its "try out." The day is a good one for the purpose. The matches aro important ones, consequently tho attendance of the public will be large, and as this samo public is apt to be critical of the scheme, if not actually sceptical, the harriers will have to put up a good showing to "make good."

Half a Hundred Harrierl. Fortunately, tlhero is every prospect of this being achieved." After much controversy, the clubs and members have awakened to their responsibilities, and with pleasure it is noted that the entry is a large one —no less than eleven teams havo nominated. This means a field of 55 Tunners,'which should make a good impression on tho most cynical of spectators. The latest reports regarding tho clubs intentions show that the Central Club, a mid-week organisation, is starting one team, and the two Saturday clubs, Wellington and Brooklyn, five each. Tho Centrals have a fine team nominated, and their efforts are deserving of every credit. The club does not boast a largo membership, and its operations are confined to Wednesday afternoons, which oieans that its representatives to-day will have to mak© arrangements for leave of absence in order to compete. This is a measure of keenness that is greatly appreciated by the other club members.

The Question of Handicaps. , Last week it was suggested in this column that the event be made a handicap, in order to encourage the entry of other than tho "crack" club men. This suggestion has been acted upon to a certain extent. Handicaps have been allotted on a time basis, that is, the teams will !» started at intervals, in order of their weakuess. There was much discussion over this matter —many- of the delegates being of opinion that a points handicap would be-better, in which case all tho teams would start together, and the number of handicap points would bo deducted from tho total number of points scored by the finishing order of tho competitors. After weighing the merits and demerits of both systems, it is to be admitted that the former is certainly the easier from the handicapper's viewpoint. Whether it is better for the runners and tho spectators is debatable.

Rehearsals Last Saturday. Last Saturday both teams indulged in teams' racing bv way of practice for today's event. Tlie Brooklyn Club met at the Oriental Bay Kiosk, and was substantially represented. Tho ensuing contest attracted a large field of competing teams, and proved satisfactory to tho club officials, and interesting to tho muster of club supporters, of whom there was an appreciable and appreciative number. Tho Wellington Club selected three teams from its pack, and conducted a scratch race of a distance of about a mile. Tho racing was satisfactory, each team cutting about evon in the points scored at tho finish. The team captained by W. Press reaped a narrow victory—due in 110 small measure to the veteran s previous experience in this class of contest.