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Salient: Victoria University Students' Paper. Vol. 30, No. 14. 1967.

Oppressive heat at Tokyo games

page 20

Oppressive heat at Tokyo games

Oppressive heat, first-class facilities, organisational perfection and an intense dedication to sport were the general impressions of Victoria's representative at the World Student Games, Miss Helen Schwartz.

Miss Schwartz recently returned from these games where she was placed eighth in the women's foil event. This was the first time New Zealand Universities have been officially represented in the games, which have been held every two years since 1953.

The other members of the New Zealand contingent performed well considering the oppressive, humid heat. The temperature throughout the games was constantly in the nineties.

Ivan Johnston, Otago University, recorded the ninth fastest time in the men's 100 metres breaststroke with a time of 73.9sec. His fastest time over 110 yards in New Zealand is 72.8sec.

He came eighth in the final of the 200 metres breaststroke with a time of 2min 41.3sec. His best time for this is 2min. 38.9sec.

Canterbury athlete Barry Jones felt the effects of the heat, but still managed to finish ninth in the 10,000 metres.

Approximately 1500 competitors participated The overall standard was extremely high and there were several world record holders in the student teams. In the swimming events, five new world records were set.

Held in Tokyo, the scene of the 1964 Olympics, full use was made of the outstanding facilities there. The games from August 26 to September 3 were organised along similar lines to the Olympics.

Competitors were housed in the women's quarters of the Olympic village. The free services made available to all competitors ranged from the allocation to the threemember New Zealand team of two interpreters and one car to an overall unlimited supply of "Pepsi-Cola."

The New Zealanders were introduced to a dedication in sport rarely seen in this country. Although looked after by the British team manager, they found their team size a handicap. This was particularly so with regards to training, when they were forced to practise alone.