ATHLETIC SPORTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 62, 7 December 1920, Page 3

ATHLETIC SPORTS

THE OLYMPIANS RETURN , DUE IN WELLINGTON NEXT WEEK Now' Zealand's representatives at the Olympic Gnmos held at Antwerp thrco Months ago were due to arrive in Sydney yesterday by the Nestor, and should reach Wellington on Tuesday next. Whilst New Zealand only .sent four representatives to uphold the athletic honour of the Dominion—Messrs. 11. E, Wilson, (hurdler), Davidson (sprinter), Hadfield (sculler), and Miss ' Walrond (swimmer)—it has to be remembered that this'meagre representation scored as many points ns "did Australia, with its twenty representatives, end that undoi- conditions altogether adverse, for whilst the New Zealand team only arrived in Eng- . land eight days before the dato of'the' big meeting, after a ten weeks sea voynge, the Australians were on the ground in active (raining five weeks before, and the Americana/and Canadinns three months before Thon when tho New Zealanders did got to Antwerp thoy had'to ■ ■ hunt Tound for suitable and make arrangements about food (owing to restrictions that were still affocting sup- ' plies). Under such conditiois tho Ilitlo Land of New Ze.ilandci'S had to compote against tho world's SHU, Wibon won his heat in the 120 yds. hurdles. After tho race an American competitor said to him: "Are you one of tho guys who came o5 the boat yostorday?" Wilson admitted that he was "ono of the guys. bv gosh, son, you're some hurdler!" admitted tho American. Wilson came fourth out of the six who competed in tho final. In the heat, which Davidson won, ho beat Paddick, the champion —itself a significant feat. Later Davideon struck form in England, and gave the Home athletes such samples of his speed that the "Athletic News' place" 'him in the same class as Donaldson, the long streak." . What is not generally known here in connection with theihurdle races at Antwerp, is that the hurdlos were only alt. high instead of 3ft. 6in., which accounts for tho good times put up. The Sh. hurdle has now bcon {adopted by, the N.Z.A.A.A., and will be used at the next cbampionship meeting. ■'.-..,, There will be a meeting of tho Olympic Council this aftornoon, to make linal nrratgemeiKs'for "welcoming the team home. ■ The question'as to whc.ro the next i\ew Zealand championship meeting is to be '■• held is also to be,decided. AN EVENING MEETING. Another evening sports meeting w-as held at Kilhirnie Park yesterday under the nuspices of the Wellington Centre of the N.Z:A.A.A. Tho results of tho events decided were:— 75yds. handicap-First heat: N. Trower, 6yds., and H. Wild, Byds., dead heat, 1; A.< Evans, 7ydg., 3. Time, 6 l-seec. Second heat: E. Dimock. 7yds„ 1; IV ti. Hill. Byds., 2; K. W.ilkins, 3yds., 3. Time, 8 l-ssec. Third heat: H. Whitehead, 7yds., and H. Moss, 7yds., dead ' heat, V; L. Richardson, syds., 3. Time, 7 3-ssec. Final: Whitehead, 1; Dimock, 2;' Moss, 3. Time. 7 3-sseo. •MOyds. handicap—N. Meech, 30yds., 1; ■■' K. Poutawera, 23yds., 2; H. Wilkins, 15yds., 3. Time, 51sec. . 1000 yds. handicap—S. Muller, 30yds., 1; |W'. Melrose. 35yds., 2; K. Gr.ffen, 85yds., 3. Time; 2min. 18see. 220 yds. boys' race—W. Barrett, 1; G. . Martin, 2. throwing tho uiscus—P. Munro, 1; L. M'Kay, 2. CALEDONIAN SPORTS. Capital entries are being received for tho big amateur athletic meeting,, to be held by tho Calodonian Society 'on the Basin Ro«rve on Boxing Day. Ono of . the chief attractions will bo tho first • '.appearance of Messrs, Wilson'and David : eon sincci their return from ,the Olympic ■'•■■' Games at Antwerp. The society also in- ; v tends to revive amateur bicycle racing, V nnd, consequent upon having... received ' jiumerous requests—there are ten entries V from Kascertou alone—the society is putting on a one mile and a two-mile handicap. It will be interesting to see if there still remains any life in this form of 6port.