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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 13, Issue 2 (May 2, 1938.)

A Future Champion

A Future Champion.

A feature of American athletics seldom met with in New Zeaalnd is the phenomenal rise from obscurity to fame of athletes, almost over-night. When Miss Shona Oliphant competed in the British Empire Games trial meeting in Wellington last December she did not get any “Press notices” although she won the 220 yards sprint. She was never considered as a possible member of the Empire Games team to visit Sydney but she has “arrived” with a vengeance.

During the latter part of February and the early part of March I spent several days in Timaru where I saw this future Olympic champion training. Daughter of an old-time athlete, Shona Oliphant, just 16 years old, has a future in athletics that might bring more fame to the town that was made famous by Bob Fitzsimmons, Jack Lovelock and Phar Lap. Her efforts in defeating two Empire Games representatives in their own special events at the New Zealand championship programme is but a taste of what is to come.

Having seen all the N.Z. champions in women's track and field sport since the feminine section was formed, I have no hesitation in stating that Shona Oliphant has all the necessary attributes of a great champion.

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