AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 19, 23 January 1937, Page 11 (Supplement)

AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

FAILURE OF AUSTRALIAN SWIMMERS Clear-cut comes the call from the man who controlled Australia’s 1936 Olympic Games team. Mr. H. G. Alderson irf his report on the tour states: “The (Australian) swimmers will certainly need indoor freshwater swimming pools which can be heated to allow them to undergo a longer period of training and tuition. Germany has constructed two indoor pools at Berlin in the last two years; whilst Japan, America, and other nations have had these available for some years. In the case of our swimmers leaving Australia in May (to compete at the Olympic Games in August), it is most probable that the selected swimmers were unable to practise for two months before leaving Australia, as the cold weather had set in. Then they have five to six weeks on the steamer, where they can hold practise in a small pool which is almost useless; and on arrival at their destination they have to adapt themselves to new conditions — fresh water 50-metre pools. “A good proportion of the time available is then lost getting used to the changed conditions, as there is a vast difference in swimming in salt water and heated fresh water, which calls for a change very oflen in style and technique.