N.Z.'s Olympic Team.

Based on the only method of assessing the standard of New Zealand athletes—a comparison with the best times recorded overseas during the current track and field season—it must be admitted that the runners chosen to represent New Zealand at the Olympic Games in Berlin next August rank on a very high plane. J. E. Lovelock (former holder of the one mile world's record and present champion miler of the British Empire), V. P. Boot (holder of the 880 yards and one mile N.Z.A.A.A. championships and credited with records, yet to be approved, for the 880 yards and 1,000 yards), and C. H. Matthews (New Zealand three miles champion and holder of the 2 miles record, 3 miles record, yet to be passed, and Australian record holder for 3,000 metres), will represent the Dominion in running events. A quick run over the best times set by Boot and Matthews in comparison with overseas performances will prove of interest.

Boot's best time for 880 yards is 1 min. 53 2/5 sec. Compare this with the best times recorded in 1935: Belgium, 1:56 1/5; Finland, 1:53 3/10; France, 1:55; Germany, 1:54 1/10; Great Britain, 1:53 3/10; Hungary, 1:54 2/5; Italy, 1:53; Norway, 1:52 9/10; Poland, 1:52 2/5; Sweden, 1:54 1/10; Switzerland, 1:58 4/5; United States, 1:52. The best time in Europe was 1 min. 52 2/5 secs., and the best in the world was 1 min. 52 secs. All the times listed above were made on cinder tracks whereas Boot's run was made on a grass track at Lancaster Park under adverse conditions. On a basis of times Boot must go close to scoring high points in the final of the 800 metres. Lack of experience in good class may prove a big handicap, but his efforts in New Zealand prove him to be possessed of a “fighting heart,” and he will not disgrace his country. Boot's half-mile in 1:54 4/5 secs, at the New Zealand University championship meeting, held in Wellington on Easter Monday, was the most brilliant run ever made in Wellington.

C. H. Matthews is at his best over the three miles course and will concentrate on the 5,000 metres at Berlin. Matthews has covered three miles in 14: 17 3/5 in Christchurch, and a comparison of that run with the times made at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles reveals that it approximates time equal to that better than the fourth man returned in the final. But the tracks at Los Angeles were “super” and not likely to be equalled outside the State of California where climatic conditions were perfect. So we fall back on the “Best Athletic Performances of 1935” to see how Matthews measures up when faced with worldclass. The best times for the three miles are: Belgium, 14:39 1/5; Finland, 14:4 4/5; France, 14:25 1/10; Germany, 14:25 7/10; Great Britain, 14:26 3/5; Hungary, 14:24; Italy, 14:24 2/5; Norway, 14:16 3/10; Poland, 14:51 2/5; Sweden, 14:12 3/10; Switzerland, 15:0; United States, no performances. The best time returned in Europe was 14 min. 4 4/5 secs. This was also the best time recorded in the world. It is estimated that a grass track is from three to four seconds slower than a cinder track over the one mile, and if such an estimation is to carry any weight it is apparent that Matthews's run of 14: 17 3/5 for the three miles would approximate 14:6 on a cinder track! He Must be given a chance at the Games.

G. R. Giles, Canterbury cyclist, is another top-class performer. When he won the 1,000 metres sprint championship this year he was timed to do 12 3/5 secs. over the last furlong. The watches were started as the leading man passed the furlong mark and stopped when the winner passed the post. Giles was several yards behind the leader at the furlong, but flashed over the finishing line a good winner in time equalling that returned by Van Egmond, winner of the Olympic sprint in 1932. It was the cycling sensation of the year when Giles was not nominated for the Olympic team, but to the credit of members of the executive of the New Zealand Amateur Cycling Association the decision was revoked when the true merit of Giles's ride was pointed out.

Three boxers—T. Arbuthnot, C. Gordon and N. Fisher—will complete the team. The boxers have to be taken on trust, as there are no means of ascertaining their comparative standards as in the case of swimmers, cyclists and runners, but the New Zealand Boxing Association has indicated its confidence in them to do well. New Zealand boxers have not had much success at Olympic Games in the past although it is a boxer— Ted Morgan—who has won the only Individual gold medal to come to New Zealand. Of the six boxers to fight for New Zealand at Olympic tournaments only one has qualified to fight in the second round. C. Purdy, A. Cleverley, H. Thomas, R. Purdie, and A. S. Lowe were all defeated in the first matches! It has been claimed that the standard of judging is not favourable to New Zealand boxers— that fighters are encouraged instead of boxers—so, unless the method of judging is to be different this year, our boxers will be fighting under a handicap.