ATHLETICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1926, Page 5

ATHLETICS.

NEWS FROM BNGLAND. ATHLETES AND THE BRITISH CUMAT.E. (From Our Own Correspondent.) London, Oet. 21. We grumble about the weather, but from the point of view of the athlete, the British climate is perhaps the best in the world. The footballer, the golfer, the cricketer, and the runner may come from all parts, but, instead of being upset by the change, he is exhilarated. Even France did not suit the New /.ealand Rugby ’ players, and, though they here only a few days, they confess that they feel a great deaf better. Despite the wet days when no play wfts possible, and they had to kick their heels about in the pavilion, the Australian cricketers were delighted with the weather, and more than one American golfer has told me that he plays better in this country than at home. On the other hand, tlie American climate, especially during the hot weather, is a severe trial to the man who lives in Europe. British golfers, who have gone on tours, have suffered grieviously. Abe Mitchell on this account declares that he_wishes he had never been to America. Arthur Havers and James Ockenden have never done anything in competitions at home since they were there. That, too, has been the experience of George Duncan since his last visit. Now the French lawn tennis players are complaining about New York in Summer, and, because of the trials which they went through last year, they have seriously put forward the suggestion that next season they should take part in the preliminary stages of the Davis Cup competition in the American zone. The reason for is that, provided they were successful, they would have a better chance of becoming acclimatised before challenging America for the Cup. By the way, Rene I.acoste should not suffer from this handicap. His period of military training in France will soon be at an end, and it is his intention to spend some time in America, where his father has large business interests in the motor trade.