A SWIMMER'S PLIGHT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 139, 30 October 1912, Page 3

A SWIMMER'S PLIGHT.

STRANDED IN STOCKHOLM.

HOW CHAMPION WAS TREATED,

: ' Christchurch, October 20. Rumors are rife regarding the treats' ment of Al. E. Champion, the Dominion representative at the .Olympic sports (says a writer of swimming notes in to-night's Evening News). For some reason which has not been explained, the money guaranteed by Air. Harris, of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, and the amount subscribed and forwarded to the Olympic committee at Wellington, never reached Champion while in England or Stockholm, and only for the generosity of Mr. William Henry, secretary of the Royal Life-saving Society, of London, Champion would not have been able to compete at Stockholm. There were none of the funds forthcoming from New Zealand to finance Champion, and I understand hi 9 own finances ran out. To \ put it mildly, he 1 was living on the charity of his friends, and it is a wonder that he did so well under such depressing financial mismanagement. Champion had a splendid time at the expense of those whom he came in contact with, but not at the expense of the Olympic Committee of New Zealand, who, no doubt, will have to make some explanation to the council of the New Zealand Swimming Association when this matter is discussed and dealt with. I have seen a letter written by Champion, and one from Air. Henry, bearing out these statements; and as Champion has j been back in the Dominion for several I weeks it is about time that something ] was done to recoup him for his out-of-1 pocket expenses.

The money was subscribed and handed over to the Olympic Sports Committee at Wellington,- and it appears strange that a Dominion representative shoiild. have been allowed to travel- to Stockholm on his own limited means, and on those of friends he met in London. The matter will, I understand, be referred to at thp ftßmual meeting of the centre to be held next Thursday.