ATHLETICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 January 1926, Page 3

ATHLETICS.

ROSE—NURMI MATCH OFF

[by TELEGRAPH PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.}

MASTERTON, Jan. 8. A. meeting of R. A. Rose, the Australasian champion distance runner, and Paavo Nurmi, llic Finnish crack, is unlikely to enevtuate for another year, if at all, Nurmi having replied to represciitaions made on Rose’s behalf as follows: “I have received your letter, and, in reply, would say that it is not clear when tile race is to take place. I can hardly undertake the journey in the near future, hut could, perhaps, do so next autumn, although I cannot definitolv promise this.” Owing to operations on Ids farm, interfering with his preparation, Rose has decided not, to compete against the American Hasu, at Mastcrton on February fi, blit has since acceded to pressure from local athletic officials, and has given an assurance that he will compete. When he and Ilu.su are due to meet for the first time, uaturaly he cannot Is- at th e top of his form, as lie had anticipated reserving himself for the return visit of the ■ American to Mastcrton in March.

HOW "RECORDS” ARE MADE. AMERICA'S HIGH JUMP METHODS. Is the world’s high-jumping record a fake? Hugh 11. Baxter, of the New York Athletic Club, who is one of the most consistent record performers the country. America, over produced, declares it is. lie is up in arms over the “western roll ” system of high-jumping by which Harold Osborne gets his results. He is not the only one. Krongress, whom New Zealanders will remember, and the athletic expert of the “San Francisco Examiner.” are both doubtful as to Osborne's methods (says the “Globe”). Baxter has taken the matter up again recently, and hopes that something will he done about it. lie claims that the “western roll” often produces something between high jumping and vaulting. Here is the method :

The jumper leaps high into the air in a legitimate way. then rests his arm on the bar and gives a downward pressure. This help's to shoot his' body into the air as in a vault and depresses the light Olympic bar from a few inches to a loot. Over the lowest point of this depression, the jumper rolls his body, hv the clever use of his arm and hand he pushes the bar hack against tin* post and lets it spring hack into place. Sometimes the bar will bounce off. hut usually it stays “ put.” Baxter declares that he has heard that the ends ol the bar are sometimes wrapped with adhesive tape. Alter the liar has sprung hack into place the measuring stick is used. It may show a height of. say, six feet six inches, whereas the jumper’s body may have, heen no higher than five feet teii inches.

The solution suggested is that some clip or device lie used to hold tfie liar that will give way under any pressure. Ibis would assure lair lumping. Mr Baxter does nm hold anything agianst Ihe athletes using this method of vaulting, as there are no rules to bar their method, lie considers, however. tliiil the time has come for a revision of the rules which will do away with tile high jump vault just as the old pole-climbing method of pole-vault-ing was eliminated I.y the American authorities ami the Intern, itional Olympic ('oiiuiiit tee. Baxter’s protest, has caused a lot of discussion, and athletes here consider that the amateur union will take action.