ATHLETICS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 31, 6 February 1932, Page 18

ATHLETICS

By "SPRiNTEn"

WILL HE GO?

CARLTON AND THE GAMES

CHAMPION STANDS FIRM

When the announcement was • first made that James Carlton, the champion Sydney sprinter, would not be a candidate for the Olympic Games, there were many who were disinclined to regard it as final. The announcement came as a bombshell of dimensions seldom equalled in the realm of sport, and for Australians it must have been a particularly severe shock. New Zealanders also share the disappointment aroused by the sprinter's decision, as Carlton is one of the most popular of the overseas; athletes that have visited the Dominion, his magnificent runs at Athletic Park last season against George Simpson being still fresh in the minds of Wellington supporters of the sport. Although Carlton has 'adhered unswervingly to his original decision, strong endeavours have.been made in Australia to assure his being present at the Games, and there still appears to be a grain of hope that he will be a member of the Australian team. Carlton entered the seminary of ■•the Order of the Sacred Heart Missionaries at Douglas Park on Saturday, 23rd January, and the first part of his decision ;to withdraw from the sport in which he has'become famous was borne out when he did not appear at the Australian Games at. Melbourne last Saturday and Monday. On the day after Carlton entered the seminaryj Mr. B. B. Casimir, honorary secretary of the NewSouth Wales Amateur Athletic Association, stated that Carlton having definitely announced his retirement from athletic.sport, no move would bo made by the controlling body, for his inclusion in the Australian team for the Games.- Mr; Casiinir added that if any effort was being made to influence Carlton to alter his decision he would have had knowledge of it, but the officials denied that any further: action, waa to be taken.. • , .-; Later in the week the ," Herald" stated that, there seemed to be little foundation for the hope, expressed in sporting circles, that.Garlton would be granted leave from his studies to enable him to go to the Games. The authorities at the seminary had intimated that the matter would not be reconsidered unless representations were made by some.authoritative body. So far as the authorities were concerned, Carlton's decision was final. At a meeting of the Council of the New South. Wales Amateur Athletic Association during the week a recommendation was carried recommending to the Olympic Council that Brother Carlton be selected as a member of the Australian team going to the Olympic Games. The full circumstances of Brother Carlton's case were to be included with the recommendation. A resolution was carried expessing the council's wishes for Brother Carlton's success in his new career, and acquainting the collegei authorities* with the. esteem in which he was held by members of the association. Carl-ton's 220 Record. .-, Amongst amateur athletes there is a doubt whether"the records committee of the New South Wales Amateur Athletic Association can consider the recognition of James Carlton's world's record of 20 3-ssec. for 220 yardp accomplished at the Sydney Cricket Ground ■on 18th January,- states the "Sydney Morning Herald." Mr. L. J. Drake, the referee, ruled'that the wind favoured the runners. According .to the rules-of the Amateur Athletic Union, of Australia,' the .referee's decision is final. Mr. B. Coombes, president of the union, and referee for many years, upholds this view, and in discussing the matter said that;whilst,he regretted, that Carlton's, achievement could not be recognised,! the referee's, action had prevented anyfurther move to endorse the performance," In the i rules tearing on records it iai stipulated that amongst other requirements is.'a "certificate from referee stating whether the wind was fay-; ourable or otherwise to'the competitor,and whether it assisted him to any ap-; ■preciable extent." The absence of this certificate is.fatal to any application. ■ Through the Starter's Eyes. - . Some interesting sidelights on the' Australian biennial State athletic championships are given in a letter to a Wellington' friend by Mr. Frank Delaney> ,-the^ '.official starter. MrJ Delaney has previously visited Welling--ton with Australian athletic teams. Be-; ferring to.: Garlton's 220 effort, Mri Delaney'writes: "It would have donq your eyes- good -to see Jimmy hustle over that 220 yds in 20 3-ssec—a timethat equalled the world's record. The start was a, good one.'-. Yates, of Vic\ toria, was a little restless, and I was cbnrpelled' to • hold the • runners 3 seconds;-, ;N.one .broke .or moved away until the gun" (I mention this only to show "it was; a dead start, Jimmy was i not, *f shot out of .the gun"). As I said, all moved1 together; and of course they had.: gone some-20yds before I,could get a look at them. I was immediately by Jimmy's action; He was doubled up like' a' half-closed-pocket-knife, .and was closer, to 'the ground, and working harder j than I had ever previously seen him.' Carlton had an; inside, track, and • had passed the men" on'ithe- outside; tracks after going 100-yards: .'Then;,hb.^ did he move! Acrdss.ithe'field; he looked, all arms and legs,-; and -the recent storms .at Mossvale were no more electrical'than his finish; ; The 'judges^decision was that he won by Byds. I would. not have been surprised if they had said 10yds. The referee.'s "verdict there was an assisting breeze amazed me. • In my■five, years .pi • starting here I cannot recall a'time, with.such absence of breeze- at the start; I asked one of' the Tunners whether there was a breeze in -.the straight* and,he-said .there was none. The referee did not, come over' to the start to test the breeze, and must ( haye been of the' opinion that the breeze assisted the runners: round the. turns. Most of the other, officials were of the opinion that Jimmy got no' assistance from'the :breeze; It was rotten lucki" ■' /■.:': Championship Preliminaries. With regard to the preliminary heats of the Wellington provincial championship, the Hawkes Bay-Poverty Bay SubCentre has.^ advised the centre that its representatives" will be able to compete on the'morning'of the day of the meeting, and the'centre decided at its meeting this week to. ask the Wairarapa SubCentre whether that arrangement would suit .its representatives. The Marl-: borough Sub-Centre advised that its team, would not; arrive until the evening before the meeting, and consequently would not be able to compete 3 SSiS fee*t§ M& thaj-gftecnooa, '""