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FOR CENTENARY
Famous Athletes
May Be Invited
?
THERE is a strong probability
that a small, select team of
international amateur athletes
will be invited to visit Australia
next year to take part
in a big carnival in connection
with the Melbourne Centenary
celebrations, and subsequently
make a tour of the Commonwealth.
under the direction of
the V.A.A.A
OME of those mentioned are:—
J. E. Lovelock (N.Z.), the Rhodes
whnUr. who. who, running for Ox-
ford in America, a few days ago,
broke the world's mile record; V.
lso-Hollo (Finland), who, at the weekend,
broke Nurmi's four-miles worlds
record; and Jim Bausch, the allround
American champion and.
Olympian.
Because the British Empire Games
are to be held in London next
year, and not in Australia, as was
hoped at one stage, it is felt that a
special effort should be made to stage
Centenary Games, in which worldfamed
internationals could take part.
When he visited Australia last year.
Count de Baillet Latour (president ot
the International Olympic Committee)
stressed the importance of developing
the Olympic spirit, pis
would be stimulated, he said, if those
directing the Centenary Celebrations
would arrange to conduct a sort oi
miniature Olympiad. He promised to
assist in the direction of inducing internationals
to come here.
Noted Athletes
Mr Hugh R. Weir, hon. general
secretary of the Victorian Amateur
Athletic Association, has always taken
a' big hand in the conduct of important
gatherings, and is a strong advocate
of bringing international talent
to Australia at least every two years.
He is giving the matter serious
thought, and is keen about the visit
of former Olympians, and men m the
world's best class. .
Reducing the world's mile record m
New York recently to 4 min. 7 6-10
sec, Jack Lovelock would prove a decided
draw in Australia. It is hoped
that by next year he will have completed
his studies at Oxford and thus
be enabled to make the trip.
According to Alex. Hillhouse, the
Australian Olympic representative, V.
Iso-Hollo, the Finn, who is a lithographer
by occupation, is most anxious
to visit Australia. At the Games at
Los Angeles last year he won the 3000
metres steeplechase, and was runner-
up to Jan Kusciocinski (Poland), in
the 10,000 metres event.
Last week Iso-Hollo ran four miles
on a track in Finland in the phenomenal
time ot 19 min. 1 sec., bettering
Nurmi's world's figures of 19 min.
15 3-5 sec. Now that Nunni is past
his prime, this young Finn and his
compatriot, Lauri Lehlinen, have taken
his place in the athletic world.
Ralph Metcalfe, the American negro,
who was runner-up to Tolan in the
sprint at Los Angeles, and Geo. Saling,
the U.S.A. and Olympic sprint
hurdler, are also likely to be invited.
• A versatile field games exponent —
javelin, discus, high jumping, and pole
vaulting—in Jim Bausch (U.S.A.), who
won the Decathlon championship at
the Games, would complete a great
, team, which would provide ample
competition for Australia's best.
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