Peltzer’s World Tour

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 868, 11 January 1930, Page 12

Peltzer’s World Tour

GERMAN ATHLETE’S DRASTIC TERMS Sidelights on Brilliant Career Dll. OTTO PELTZER, German running star, caused a tremendous flutter on his arrival at Sydney last week byannouncing that he had only four races left to run on his world tour. If the cable is correct, New Zealand is more than mildly interested, because the famous visitor expressed the - view that he would like to run one of them in New Zealand.

Peltzer’s unusual declaration was backed by the statement that he was simply carrying out a German regulation, and that his association considered that athletes touring overseas were imposed on too much. Whether, of course, the N.Z.A.A.A. will welcome the idea of going to the expense of bringing even such a great runner as Peltzer to New Zealand for one appearance is another matter. It is a certainty that an effort will be made in Australia to persuade Peltzer or the German A.A.A. to modify the drastic terms under which lie proposes to compete. Who is this tall, fair-haired track marvel, who, in 1926, startled the world with a 1.51 3-5 run for the half-mile dash ? Three.years ago ambitious German athletes crossed the North Sea to tackle Britain’s best on the worldfamous arena, Stamford Bridge. This heath is to the athletic world what Wimbledon is to devotees of tennis. Athletic spurs are to be won here—but only in the face of the toughest opposition. The English championships were being decided, and the presence of the Germans, the Jamaican, J. E. London, Dr. Plonour (Australia), Nan Gezzel (Holland), as well as Irish and Scottish representatives, imparted an international tang to the historic “meet.” A “DARK HORSE” Qualifying heats of the half-mile were decided on the Friday, and Dr. Peltzer floated around the two laps in an unimpressive way (he is a deceptive runner). Paris Olympiad, winner D. G. A. Lowe qualified in another heat. Later in the afternoon Peltzer stripped in one of the quarter-mile heats, and Lowe was noticed to seru-

tinise carefully the doctor’s perform* ance. Plans were made and the stag was set for what was to prove tn fastest half-mile in the history of to event. .. In bright sunshine, thousands ered at the “Bridge,” spectators coming from all corners of England. Tern* silence, the gun and the ra was on. _ Lowe dashed into the lead, setting exceptionally fast pace, and piloted field around the first quarter in t amazing time of 54sec. A furlong iro the worsted Lowe still led, but black eagle on Peltzer’s breast handy, and seemed ready to down on the flying Cantab. 1 U . I T on Peltzer moved up to Lowe’s sno der, but the English idol and drew away. PELTZER’S BURST OF SPEED Apparently beaten, Peltzer fell back but less than 100 yards from horn* he unwound a brilliant burst of spew* which brought him on terms with rival. Amid roars of excitement, v ' zer gained the upper hand a ter titanic struggle, and raced over * finishing line ahead of the pale Fri * in time xvhich eclipsed J. E. Aie dith’s ten years’ old record. Three-quarters of an hour ait ward Peltzer came out to contest _ quarter. Though fatigued by the gr strain he had undergone, both phya* . and mental, he ran a fine race, a finished second to a fresh man in W. J. Rinkel. The time was 49 4-osec. Later on in Berlin, Peltzer set an' record for the mile and defeated do Nurmi and Wide in a thrilling c test. 0 i The blond German is a doctor philosophy, and in private lif e 18 schoolmaster.