ATHLETICS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 261, 17 August 1936, Page 3

ATHLETICS.

UNITED STATES v. EMPIRE.

BOOT’S PLUCKY RACE IN RELAY. (United Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, August 15. The White City was packed with 100,000 spectators, the largest number which has ever witnessed an athletic match in Britain between the Empire and the United States. The attendance was chiefly due to the presence of Jesse Owens and nine other world record breakers. The teams parading the arena received a tumult of cheers. The events began with a two miles relays in which the first half mile was run in 113 seconds. MeCable ran a dead-heat with Hornbostel. Both were finalists m the BGO metres in Berlin. V. P. Boot (New Zealand) lost two yards in changing batons, but picked up the gap. Although Young beat him by four yards at the finish the New Zealander fought pluckily. The time was 3min 49 l-ssec. Backhouse took over for the Empire against Williamson, who was sixth in the Berlin final. The Australian, in spite of the deficit, ran a marvellously plucky race and was beaten by only a yard. The time was smin 43scc. The giant longstriding Woodroff, winner of the Olympic 800 metres, running America's last lap, stavel off gallant challenges by Powell, the British half mile champion, and won by three yards. America, assisted by Owens and Metcalfe, won the 400 yards relay in 37 2-ssec, a record time in English and American meetings. Lovelock gave the Empire its first victory", winning the three miles in 14min 14 4-ssee. Burns (Britain) was second. Lovelock attempted to break Lelitinen’s world record, hut failed through lack of pacemakers. He won by 40 yards, beating the British native record. Empire Wins Mile Relay. The Empire won the mile relay' in spite of losing a yard in baton changing, and created a world record, 190 3-ssec. Roberts, fourth in the Berlin 400 metres and Britain’s first string, finished a yard behind Williams, winner of the 400 metres. Rampling (Britain) and Fritz (Canada) followed against Fitch and Hardin (winner of the 400 metres hurdles in Berlin). Broun (Britain) started the last lap two. yards behind the American negro Luvalle and after a. magnificent race beat him by half a yard. The Empire, chiefly due to a magnificent effort by Loaring (Canada), who was second in the 400 metres in Berlin, won the two-lap steeplechase by a foot in Bmin 7 3-ssec. The Americans, Hornbostel, Venzke, Sanromani, and Glen Cunningham, won the four miles relays in 17min 17 l-ssec, a world record. The Americans won the high jump,

Johnson beating the British record with a jump of 6ft. 7in. Meadows (America) beat the British pole-vault record with 14ft. 2in. Metcalfe did not compete. America Avon the long jump with an aggregate of 72ft. 9£i : n. to the Empire total of 66ft. lOJin. The United States beat the British Empire in the two miles relay, in 7min 35 4-ssec, Britain’s time being 7min 36 3-ssec, both beating the world record. Boot and Backhouse assisted the Empire team. America Avon a mile medley in 3min 23 2-ssec, in spite of a terrific effort by EdAvard (Canada) against Woodruff. The last half mile Avas run in the second fastest time of the series. A fine hot afternoon helped the record breaking. America Avon by 11 points to 3. The American victory Avas chiefly due to all-round superiority in the field events. Vernon, Boot, and Backhouse can claim a considerable share of the credit for the world record in the two miles relay. Unfortunately the individual times of the Empire runners were not taken, or it would be seen that each ran one of the best half miles of his career.

OWENS TURNS PROFESSIONAL.

ACCEPTS £SOO A WEEK (United Press Association —Copyright.) LONDON, August 15. The “Sun-Herald” News Service says that Jesse Owens announces that he is becoming a professional. Next Aveek lie is accepting a £SOO-a-Aveek American A'audeville offer from sports outfitters and manufacturing firms. “I think I should make Avhat I can out of my speed abilities,” he said. “I have achieved every honour and must now think about making some money. ’ ’