OLYMPIC STARTER

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 84, 6 October 1931, Page 9

OLYMPIC STARTER

MR. LESLIE'S NOMINATION

The recent nomination by the N.Z.A.A.A. of Mr. T. W. Leslie as an official starter at the Olympic Games to be held in Los Augeles in 1932 resulted iv a letter being received at last evening's meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Council from the president of the International Amateur Athletic Federation in America, Mr. J. S. Odstrom. The letter stated that the nomination had been received, and providing that either the N.Z.A.A.A. or Mr. Leslie were willing to pay the expenses in the event of his being selected, the federation would have no objection in appointing him as an official if the N.Z.A.A.A. would "warrant him to be a true amateur and a firstclass starter."

The Mayor of Wellington, Mr. T. C, A. Hislop, in writing to the Olympic Committee recommending Mr. Leslie's appointment, stated: "He is well known in athletic circles in this country, and is regarded as the best starter in the Dominion. . t . He is a man well qualified for the position, and in whom you caa place complete confidence. His appointment would be regarded as a friendly gesture to the people of this country." It was generally admitted by the meeting that the Olympic Games Committee could not be expected to pay the expenses for Mr. Leslie's trip, ahd as the N.Z.A.A.A. was not in a position .to foot the bill of approximately £150, it devolved on his willingness to pay for the honour of acting as one of the starters whether he went or not. It _ was a privilege to New Zealand to nominate an official at the Games, especially as there were many qualified men in the United States capable of filling the position. It was decided to write to Mr. Leslie placing tho facts before him.