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AMATEUR ATHLETICS
MR. RICHARD COOMBES
Death Occurs in Sydney
An Outstanding Personality
SYDNEY, April 15.
Mr. Richard Coombes, who for many
years had been an outstanding personal-
ity in amateur athletics and other
branches of sport in Australia, died to-
day. He was 80 years of age.
Mr. Coombes was known as the "father"
of amateur athletics in Australia. He
was born in Middlesex, and came to Aus-
tralia In 1880. It was not long before
be made his mark as an administrator in
sport. He was instrumental in founding
the Amateur Athletic Union of Australia.
He had been a champion walker when a
member of the London Athletic Club, and
in 1889 founded the first walkers' club In
Australia, the Sydney Amateur Walkers
Club. In the same year his efforts also
led to the forming of the Sydney harriers,
thus introducing cross-country running
into Australia. Mr. Coombes was for
many years the representative of Aus-
tralia and New Zealand on the Interna-
tional Olympic Committee. In 1889 he
drafted a definite code of rules to govern
track walking, and these rules were
adopted throughout the world. He was
prominently connected with coursing, rifle
shooting, rowing, sculling, and cycling. He
was a successful oarsman and marksman
in England, and for 17 years was captain
of the Sydney Rifle Club, later becoming
president.
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