SWIMMING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5507, 29 November 1929, Page 2

SWIMMING.

TOUR OF AUSTRALIANS. RYAN’S PROWESS. “Is Ryan another Charlton ?” As long ago as December, 1927, when the wonderful boy swimmer from Manley who is now in New Zealand was barely sixteen years of age, the Australian papers were asking that question. It was a big question to ask, for at that time Andrew Charlton had half the world talking of him. He sensation of the Olympic games of 1924, when he beat Arne Borg decisively, and later confirmed by his remarkable swimming in Australia that he was one of the most wonderful swimmers that Australia had ever produced. To talk at that time of another swimmer being as good, or even promising to be as good, was almost heresy. Yet the Australian papers were doing it, even as they still continued to hand the victor’s laurels to Charlton.

For Ryan was doing things for his age. At that time he was just a youngster, just like any other schoolboy in his “apple-catch-ers” and long stockings. “He is as shy as a brumby colt,” wrote one Australian writer, “and cannot be induced to talk about himself at all. In two years he will fill out; his style will be perfect. Look out then ! There is every chance that he will be fit to face. the world’s best.” Few writers have penned a truer prophesy. The performances that caused all this stir two years ago took place at the combined high schools carnival in Sydney, where Ryan won the junior 100yds in 65 2-ssec., won the 220yds heat in 2min 25sec, and the final in 2min 47 l-ssec., and the 440yds in smin 49 2-ssec. Beside the times that Ryan has since placed to his credit these performances may sound very moderate, but for a boy of sixteen they were wonderful. They were a justification for the eulogies that were poured updn him, just as his improvement since has proved a justification of the prophesy that was uttered concerning him at that time. Ryan to-day is the best swimmei" that Australia possesses. His performances against Arne Borg, when the all-conquering Swede visited Australia last year, prove that he is in the class of the world’s best swimmers. And yet, when Noel Ryan followed Arne Borg to the winning post in all the classic events in Australia a year ago he was barely seventeen years of age. He has yet to celebrate his eighteenth birthday. He will do so during the New Zealand tour —at Te Awamutu on December 10.