Many Swimmers Forsake A mateur Status for Paid Positions

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 671, 24 May 1929, Page 12

Many Swimmers Forsake A mateur Status for Paid Positions

.WITH WEISMULLER AS DEMONSTRATOR, BORG CLINGS TO HIS INTENTION TO SEEK COACHING APPOINTMENT What Exact Training Would Do for N.Z.’s Young Champions COL LO WIN G a long list of great swimmers who have finished off their competitive careers by taking * up coaching appointments, Johnny Weismuller has already accepted professional status, and Borg is clinging to his intention to turn. This trend in th e world’s swimming is discussed in the following article, with special reference to the value of their s erviees as expert coaches, and to the need for exact training in Australia and New Zealand.

Rather more than in any other sport, the main stars in swimming are prone to succumb to the lure of professionalism. Now that Johnnie Weismuller, to all intents and purposes, is a paid coach and demonstrator, swimmers’ eyes the world over are seeking the man who will take Weismuller’s shoes. TTFI has been practically found. Weismuller’s successor should be none other than Walter Laufer, of Chicago, a. young man who is forging his way rapidly into the favour of the American public. Laufer broke one of Weismuller’s records several months ago, and the great Illinois Club swimmer readily admits that Laufer has all the qualifications of a. record-breaker. Laufer can go very near to 51s over 100 yards now, although his career is just beginning. Weismuller has been at the top long enough. For over six years he has been on the pinnacle of'achievement—holding for the United States the title of the finest sprint swimmer. If Laufer is to go on rattling Weismuller’s times he will certainly be a wonder swimmer. This raises the question of who is actually the world’s greatest swimmer? Europeans and Australians unanimously point to Arne Borg ’ as the man, recognising at the same time that Borg is pre-eminently a distance man. As Weismuller has done, Borg breaks records with machine-like pi-e----paredness. Where the Swede has the advantage is in the fact that he is a sprinter of ability, although he does

not essay competition short distance work. Borg, who is a member of the famous United States Club, Illinois, too, seems likely to go over to professionalism this year. He stated his intention in Australia and New Zealand, and has reaffirmed it in America. Borg has had a much shorter career than Weismuller. The distance man to take his place may be an American. The Honolulu Club will most likely hold out Clarence Crabbe as Borg’s successor. He has conquered the Swede and is full of promise. Whatever Australians think, Andrew Charlton is secondrate compared with the Borg of today. Charlton troubled the Swede years ago before he surged ahead into his phenomenal form. Weismuller, Borg—pillars of amateur swimming—as professionals. After all, they are stepping along a wellworn trail, which has lured the Americans in particular. Norman Ross, known in Auckland, Aileep Riggin, the diver, Helen Wainwright, Mariechen Wehselau, Gertrude Ederle and Ethelda Bleibtrey are a few of those who have deserted amateurism, several at the peaks of their careers. Aileen Riggin was champion Olympic diver at Amsterdam at the last Games. I-ler professionalism has not been widely heralded. A contrast, this, to the rumours regarding Martha Norelius, Swedish-American champion woman sprint swimmer. Miss Norelius won her fame at the last Games and, since her return to America, has been setting startling times. Fortunately there are still many who will not think of her leaving her career at this stage. Some regard it as significant that Miss Norelius lias been

performing at Miami, Florida, where j Weismuller lias already given profes- j sional display swims. i ( All thiis rush for professionalism 1 is disconcerting to the United ( States Amateur Swimming Association, which feels its losses at ] the thought of foreign competition. 1 The association is keeping a , watchful eye on Laufer, George Kojac, young backstroke champion, . and possibly Crabbe. Hints of professionalism have spread to the Argentine, which is still lavishing praise on Zorilla, the Olympic success. The lure -of big money to .reward talent must be difficult to resist. America lias its money and Americans 1 want to see near-perfection in sport. , They want to see performers trained , up to the minute by experts. This , spirit has scarcely eked into Great Britain’s swimming, and it certainly has not touched Australia and New ; Zealand. . ’ One wonders what Charlton would have done with expert knowledge, splendidly paid, behind him. New Zealand can point to the young giant, Billy Cameron, to Ena Stockley, and to Kathleen Millar 'as a present-day trio with unusual natural* ability. Miss Stockley has broken her five original times this season, after years of competition. One of her backstroke times equals the United States women’s record and her sprint times must hate given her third position at Amsterdam last year, when she was well below form. The Auckland girl sprinter, Peggy Robertson, who is on the verge of doing surprising feats, would forge to prominence with the polish only expert guidance can give.

Sydney has a flock of young swimmers who need correct training. Jean Cocks, who, at 14, is being confidently boosted by Australia as the world’s champion of the future, is the most prominent, and Noel Ryan figures among the young men. An object lesson has been given by the notable swimming of the former Otago boy, Leslie Olds, since he has been in good company in California. There should be no regrets if the best results of professional training ever enter swimming in New Zealand and Australia. Great work has already been accomplished in Auckland by Mr. D. B. Anderson, an old Scottish club champion, who coaches Ena Stockley and several other stars in a professional capacity. It might have been to the benefit of the Dominion if a man of his calibre had gone to the Olympic Games in charge of the swimming section and to study the latest' methods abroad and bring back the results of his expert observations to New Zealand. Auckland’s premier position in the swimming world of Maoriland is in no small measure due to the coaching work of men like Messrs. Anderson and Champion. There is no doubt that other centres would benefit if instruction in the fine points of swimming were made available to the young competitors who are coming on, by champions who have been through the game themselves, and feel that it is time to retire. For instance, the engagement of a competent coach like Arne Borg by the New Zealand swimming authorities might well mean a new era in the sport in this Dominion.