ATHLETICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 164, 10 January 1914, Page 7

ATHLETICS.

CRITICISM HKSKNTHI). A well-known champion athlete of .New South Wales has taken fxi-ojition to well-meaning advice ottered liim through t!n> columns of I lie press. The position taken up bv this ntlilete, says a Sydney writer, opens Hp the question as to wlio is qualilied to advise or coach alhletes. The athlete ill question armies that lie is the champion, and anyone who is his inferior on the traek cannot advise 'him how to 11111. Th.it statement in itself furnishes a good argument in favor of the objector taking heed of the advice lie so strongly resents. The fact that a man is a champion does not necessarily mean that lie knows all about the liner points of his special sport. Some ciliainpions are champions because tliev cannot help il. They have natural ability, lint they might become champions of champions if they are willing to learn more of the sport in which they are engaged. The sooner 'champion athletes get tile idea that ihe fact that tliey are champions argues that tliey have nothing' to learn out of (lieir heads the better for themselves. . To tackle the question broadly, it mil-it. be admitlod that if the athlete in question is right in his opinion the bottom is knocked right out of coaching. There are many coaches who have never been exceptionally successful r:i the track. According' to the argument pul, .forward by the athlete whose pride lias ■been hurt, the coaches who have not been out-and-out champions are useless, lint results and experience do not bear out that view. Experience and the ability to .see where improvement can ln> cll'eet'ed are the important factors in succesful coaching. It does not necessarily follow that because a man is not. it champion he cannot-pick out the weak spots in an athlete's armor.