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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 11, Issue 5 (August 1, 1936)

New Zealand's Own Lovelock

New Zealand's Own Lovelock.

Any doubts that may have existed about the fitness of New Zealand's great miler, Jack Lovelock, must have been dispelled early in June, when the cables told New Zealanders that he had covered three miles in 14min. 20 1/5secs. This time is not good enough to win at an Olympic gathering, but when compared with his performances last year—at about the same period of the season—it shows that the form he held immediately prior to racing Cunningham and Bonthron in the “Mile of the Century” has been regained. This view is further endorsed by his run in the four mile relay on 5th July, when he was credited with having run 4min. 18secs. for his mile stretch of the race.

Lovelock is the ideal athlete—in every respect. He runs for the fun of it. In fact this was the greatest feature of his wonderful race in America in July of last year. Americans were amazed that a man could travel across the Atlantic Ocean with the express purpose of competing against the best athletes America could offer and then run with evident enjoyment and with no desire to break records. Secondly, Lovelock has the ideal action and physique for the mile runner. He is not heavily built and has light, longmuscled legs. Thirdly, he is a master of judgment of pace; not only his own but also that of his opponent or opponents, and can sum up their capabilities. But greater than all these put together is his ability to place sport page 61 in its proper perspective. He does not allow sport to interfere with his search for knowledge. As a medical student in London, Lovelock has heavy duties to perform—and he carries out these regular duties before he will do any training. Just what a sacrifice this means cannot be appreciated by any but those who have been closely associated with champion athletes, or who have been in the top ranking of champions—men who have been invited to travel from place to place. Lovelock's case is even more striking. He has been invited to compete in almost every country in the world, but has resolutely set his face against travelling. Even when he competed in America he made a rush trip over and a hurried trip back. If resoluteness of purpose brings success, Lovelock is assured of a very happy future. New Zealanders will wish him all success in what should be the crowning race of his athletic career—the 1500 metres at the Olympic Games.