In last month's issue of the “N.Z.Railways Magazine” reference was made to the success of Malcolm Champion, the first New Zealand representative to win an Olympic gold medal. Unable to gain selection in the Auckland team for the New Zealand championships to be held in Christchurch, Champion managed to get a trip to Wellington on the Hinemoa and arrived in the Capital City in time to attend a carnival at Thorndon Baths.

Champion, a swimming enthusiast as well as competitive swimmer— and there is a difference, you know —strolled along and paid his shilling to have a look. His friend off the ship let it be known that Champion was a great swimmer and before he knew what had happened he was invited to take part in the trials. This he did, and with so much success that he was persuaded to go to Christchurch as a member of the Wellington team. It was just as well he decided to do this, as his club in Auckland was not affiliated, and had he gone direct to Chistchurch he would not have been allowed to swim. Instead he linked up with a Wellington Club and was included in the Wellington team.

What did he do at this meeting? Rather what didn't he do! He won every event from 100 yards to the one mile—defeating the Auckland representative miler, George Tyler, in the easiest manner. What is more, he established New Zealand records in all events, and his time for the mile stood until Dave Lindsay, another great alldistance man, broke it a few years ago. But Champion's success and fast times were even more remarkable because at that time he could neither start properly nor turn correctly. At the start of each race he used to jump in, and readers will realise that the present dive start means as much as a second to many successful swimmers in 100 yards. His method of turning was neither more nor less than a flounder—totally different from the scientific methods now used even by school children. It was not until Doug. Stewart, an old representative footballer, put in many hours coaching him that Champion mastered the starting and turning technique.

The success which came so sensationally to Champion did not go to his head, and although he maintained his position as New Zealand's best swimmer he continued to train with the aim to improve not only his pace but his style. He had many trips to Australia but, strangely enough, never showed his true form over there. Accustomed to taking and receiving advice from a trainer he could not adjust himself to the different conditions across the Tasman. It would be fairly safe to state that Champion was one of New Zealand's most widelytravelled athletes. That is, an athlete officially representing New Zealand. “Buster” Andrews, the tennis player, would probably rank as The most widely-travelled athlete, but his travels have not been when representing New Zealand.

In 1911 Champion represented New Zealand at the first Empire Games meeting—held at the time of the Coronation of King George the Fifth. The swimming events were held at the Crystal Palace lake and practically every country in the British Empire sent representatives. The New Zealander won the half-mile and five-mile swimming races, and was easily winning the biggest race of the carnival—the one mile—when he took cramp near the finish and had to be assisted from the water.

The following year saw Champion selected as a member of the Australasian team to the Olympic Games at Stockholm. At that time New Zealand did not have separate affiliation with the International Olympic Games Federation, and New Zealanders competed in the Australasian team. In the 1,500 metres free-style, Champion reached the final but did not succeed in winning a medal, retiring at 800 metres. In the 800 metres relay, in which Healey, Champion, Boardman and Hardwick represented Australasia, he helped to win first place, thus becoming the first New Zealander to score an Olympic gold medal. This race was swum in 10 : 11 1/5, an Olympic record.

Returning to New Zealand, Champion competed until 1914, when he definitely retired. His last championship meeting was at Blenheim where he was once more successful.

Retiring from active competition did not mean any loss of interest in the sport, and Champion soon earned for himself the reputation of being one of New Zealand's greatest swimming coaches. It is not every champion who has the ability to impart information to other swimmers, but Champion proved equal as a coach to what he had been as a competitor. With Professor Olds, late of Otago—who died about a year ago in America, where he had built up a great reputation in swimming circles—Champion did much to raise the standard of swimming in New Zealand. His own daughter, Edna Champion, proved to be one of New Zealand's stars of the water and a record holder, while I have vivid recollections of Pauline Hoeft, at one time holder of the world's record for 150 yards, telling me how he had page 62 assisted her to improve her natural style. Champion never altered the style of a swimmer—but he did endeavour to improve on that style.

Champion's successes in New Zealand swimming championships include:

100 yards—1901, 1912, 1913, 1914. Best championship time of 1 min. 1 sec.

220 yards—1901, 1908, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914. Best championship time of 2 min. 30 secs.

440 yards—1901, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914. Best championship time of 5 min. 40 secs.

880 yards—1901, 1908, 1911, 1912, 1913, 19914.

One Mile—1901, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914.