OTAGO PRESSES

Evening Star, Issue 19804, 1 March 1928, Page 3

OTAGO PRESSES

OLYMPIC GAMES SELECTION MISS MILLER'S PRIOR CLAIMS “WE WON’T BE LEFT'THIS TIME,’ 1 Otago shall not he left standing. Members of the Otago Centro of the New Zealand Swimming Association were emphatic about that last night when they resolved to oppose the order of selection of swimmers for the Olympic Games. Miss' Kathleen Miller’s claims to be the first sent to Amsterdam for the Games were substantially urged oyer those of D. P. Lindsay, the. Christchurch swimmer. It was claimed that her times entiled her to rank among the world’s best, while, according to one member, Lindsay had no earthly chance against such swimmers as Arne Borg and Johnnie Weismuller. Mr J. L. MTndoe (chairman) said that the Olympic Selection Committee had decided to send D. P. Lindsay, Miss Ena Stockley, and Miss Kathleen Miller in that order, but subsequent events seemed to make it very clear that on performances the ladies should certainly have preference oyer Lindsay; that was, if it were the intention of the New Zealand Association to send swimmers with a possible chance of reaching the finals, it was interesting to compare Miss Miller’s times wdtli the world’s best. Miss Miller had swum 440yds in only 7sec (or 1.98 per cent.) outside the world’s record. The distance had been covered in a 110yds bath, and she had been considerably troubled and had fouled the lanes, causing her arm action to become cramped. The world’s record had been created in a 25yds bath, and, allowing half a second gain at each turn, Miss Miller would be a world-beater. Although remarkable for New Zealand, Lindsay’s time for the 440yds was 32sec (or 11 per cent.) outside the world’s record. Miss Miller had a first-class chance of obtaining a place in the finals, while Lindsay would have no earthly chance against such swdmmers as Borg and Weismuller. “ My own belief is that the vote was given for Lindsay merely as a mark of sympathy towards men swimmers of the dominion,” said Mr M'lndoe. “ There was also the question of whether the men or women swimmers would be of greater value when they returned to New Zealand. However, these two considerations are secondary. It the dominion wants to place itself 11 on the map ” so far as swimming is concerned, then Miss Miller, particularly, and Miss Ena Stockley are going to do it. It might be considered that over the 100yds and in back-stroke swimming Miss Stockley comes a little before Miss Miller, but frec-stroke swimming is the great attraction.” A motion that the centre urge that the order of selection should ho Miss Miller, Miss Stockley, and D. P. Lmdsa.v was moved by the chairman. Mr R. Hector seconded the motion. Li replv to Mr Bannatync, Mr M‘lndoo said £25 was being granted as expenses to L. Moorhouse. the hack-stroke swimmer, who intended working Ins passage to compete at Amsterdam. Moorhouse was not in world’s class, but ho would represent the dominion creditably. , . , Mr W. H. Saunders sunported the chairman’s opinions, but he did not think the Otago Centro would be acting wisclv, from n sporting view, by suggesting .that Miss Miller should ho first in order. Some other centre, such ns Christchurch, might say: “There’s Otago again! U wants to he first. He suggested that the motion bo amended to read that the lady swimmers ho placed in order before D. P. Lirulsav. Mr Saunders said, however, that Miss Miller was rightly entitled to first place. Mr M'lndoe: If we don’t battle for Miss. Miller no one will battle lor her. Mr A. ft. Knights: Auckland is battling for Miss Stockley. “We should stand on our dignity.” said Mr C. B. Lewis. “They might send Miss Stockley and Lindsay and leave Miss Miller out. We want to show that we will not be sat on. They think up north that wc are soft. Up north they sing a loud song, and if wo sit back we will be left.” Mr Saunders: We have to raise money for the fund, and if matters don’t 'pan out ns we expect then we might have something to say about our money. Air E. James opposed Mr Saunders’s proposed amendment. In all sports Otago had been loft, and on this occasion swimmers were going to be aggressive.

Mr Lewis: Do you think Canterbury is going to consider Miss Miller’s times? They will take ther own end of the stick. They are too one-eyed, and we .should bo the same. The motion was carried unanimously. Having taken up this attitude, the centre decided to show its interest in a practical manner by issuing subscription lists and by devising fund-raising carnivals.