LCVELOCL'S TASK IN OLYMPIC CONTEST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 184, 5 August 1936, Page 7

LCVELOCL'S TASK IN OLYMPIC CONTEST.

A STRONG FIELD.

Further Dissatisfaction Over Wrestling.

AMERICA IN THE ASCENDANCY. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 11 a.m.) BERLIN. August 4. In the 1500 metres to-morrow at the Olympiad, Lovelock (New Zealand), in the second heat, meets Scholz (South Africa), Cornes (Britain), Goscek (Yugoslavia), Huebscher (Austria), Leiehtnam (France), Liddle (Canada), Matalainem (Finland), Nikimura (Japan), Velcopoulos (Greece), Yenzke (United States).

The fourth heat includes* Boot (NewZealand) and Wooderson (British mile champion).

In the 800 metres final Edwards dashed ahead from Woodruff and Backhouse (Australia). At halfway, which was run in 57.45,- the order was Woodruff, Edwards, Anderson and Backhouse; but Edwards, exploiting long strides, retook the lead from Woodruff, with Backhouse rapidly dropping back. Woodruff, however, won comfortably, although Jjanzi splendidly challenged in the straight to beat Edwards. Backhouse finished second to last.

The strong wind may help to account for the exceptionally slow time, although it is obvious that Woodruff, the longstriding American 21-year-old negro student, always had the race in hand. He could if necessary have made it faster. The event was a sad blow to British athletic prestige, as Britain through Hill, Lowe and Hampson, had held the title since 1920. McCabe, the sole Briton to survive the semi-finals, was never prominent and finished among the last competitors.

Helen Stephens, who won the women's 100 metres, is not a lip-stieked Atalanta, as are the majority of Americans and Canadians, who turn out with their hair exquisitely curled and cheeks artistically tinted. However, she proved again to be the woman athlete in the world. The race was practically over 30 paces from the start. Miss Stephens was last from the holes, but soon overhauled the leader. She was two metres ahead at halfway and won by four metres.

The stadium to-day ran-; with the United States national anthem, when the Stars and Stripes were raised to the masthead four times. Hitherto the spectators only sang the German national anthem.

The special representative of the Associated Press says: "Scarf's defeat in the wrestling is another mystery. The Australian almost continuously was on top during the first 13 minutes, then Prokop's nose bled and the bout was held up for five minutes while he received medical attention. Prokop. continued, but after another three minutes, in* which Scarf seemed completely ahead, the Czeclio-Slovak ian again received medical attention. Prokop lay resting on the mat for 30 seconds, then he rose. Ultimately after 20 minutes and 40 seconds, of which the Czech spent over five minutes resting, the judges acclaimed him. Prokop was so exhausted that he could barely have his arm raised as the winner. Scarf had the mortification of having to assist from the ring an opponent who had been given a verdict against him.

"Scarf took the decision philosophically. Ho has seen enough of the conditions here to realise that no decision is impossible.

"The judges were a Hungarian, a Japanese and a Turk. The last-named did not award points, but gave his verdict in favour of Prokop. The Japanese did not award points, but favoured Scarf. The Hungarian gave 4i points to Prokop and none to Scarf. Mr. H. G. Alderson, the Australian manager, allowed wrestlers themselves to decide whether to continue in the contests. Meanwhile lie is protesting to the organising committee of the Olympiad regarding mismanagement of wreslTThg. The protest against the decision against Scarf will be considered to-night. INVITATION TO OWENS. AN AUSTRALIAN REQUEST. (Received 11.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. Jesse Owens will be invited to visit Australia. Mr. 11. Heath wood, secretary of the Amateur Athletic Association of New South Wales, has cabled to J. Metcalfe, Australian Olympic representative, asking him to ascertain if Owens is prepared to visit Australia this summer. If Owens is not available, Metcalfe has been asked to negotiate for other Americans. As the New Zealand Association has not replied to the New South , Wales Association's invitation to co-operate in bringing a team of Japanese athletes here, and as the Japanese track athletes have not so far been conspicuous at the Olympic Games, the Australian proposal for a Japanese team's visit may be abandoned.