LOVELOCK VICTOR IN RECORD TIME

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 186, 7 August 1936, Page 7

LOVELOCK VICTOR IN RECORD TIME

CLASSIC 1500 METRES.

New Zealander Beats World And Olympic Records.

CUNNINGHAM SECOND. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 11 a.m.) LONDON, August 6. The special representative of the Australian Associated Press says that in the 110 metres hurdles semi-finals at the Olympic Games, Towns repeated his performance in America, where he recently returned 14.15. Another American negro, Pollard, gave Finlay a great race, the British captain only winning his semi-final on a characteristic speedy run-in. In the final Finlay, hurdling perfectly, led over the first obstacle. Towns drew level between the • third and fourth hurdle, and led at the seventh to win by 4J feet. British hopes rose when three representatives qualified for the 400 metres, generally without undue effort. Ninety-five thousand people were at the stadium, another 50,000 watching the polo, and 10,000 at the swimming practice. World's Greatest Milers. The final of the 1500 metres was delayed a few minutes, presumably to allow Heir Hitler to arrive in time to see the race between the world's greatest milers.

Cornes led from the start, from the German, Boettcher, Lovelock remaining comfortably behind. Cunningham tlien went into the lead from Boettcher, Ay (Sweden) and Lovelock.

Later Ny headed Cornes and Lovelock, with Becalli coming up. This was the 01 der at 1200 metres. Lovelock sprinted 300 metres from home, Cunningham and Becalli following him. The New Zealander entered the straight 10 yards ahead of Cunningham, and striding on Lovelock won without being pressed, by five yards. Becalli was another five yards behind the American crack. Lovelock finished so fresh that he trotted another 100 metres to pick up his sweat-suit. A roar of amazed cheers greeted the announcement of the world record, which was astonishing owing to the comparative ease with which the New Zeulander won. It appeared he could have knocked off another second if really pressed. evertheless, the speed of the race is indicated by the fact that" the first five beat the Olympic record of 3m 51.2s at Los Angeles. Thus, Becalli, the winner in 1932, had the unusual experience of beating his own record, only to find himself third. Five minutes later Lovelock, Cunningham and Becalli stood on the victors' dais, before Herr Hitler. Lovelock was crowned with a laurel by a German girl and received the customary small oaktree, in a pot, given to all winners, which they are supposed to plant in their own country. "God Save the King" was played, many Germans joining in.°

Fitness and Judgment. Lovelock's victory proved his perfect fitness and superb judgment. It was obvious at 900 metres that the race lav between Cunningham, Beealli and the New Zealander. Lovelock, running with typical smoothness and ease, finally produced an electrifying burst of speed for which he is famous, but which was missing, in his recent performances in England. As he entered the straight with a commanding lead the British supporters excited yells of "Lovelock! Lovelock!" were drowned by the entire stadium's outburst of acclamation of the New Zealander's beautiful style and wonderful performance.

The race was run in fine cool weather, with a light breeze. Lovelock, according to a careful plan, although drawn on the outside, was fourth or fifth before Hie field had covered 100 metres; remaining thereabouts until the bell, when he quickly went ahead. This is unusually early for Lovelock, and Dr. A. E. Porritt (New.Zealand manager) confessed afterwards that New Zealanders feared to see their champion move up so early because Lovelock usually remains shoulder to shoulder with the man he intends to challenge until near the straight. Nevertheless, the making of an earlier effort which his friends have long urged Lovelock to adopt, proved so successful that nobody was able to hold him in the last lap, despite the great pace of the third lap, .which occupied only 595. The first lap was run in 61s ind the second in 06s. Detailed results: — 1500 Metres (-1640 Yards). (Holder of title: L. Beealli, Italy, 3m 51.25.) FINAL. J. E. Lovelock (N.Z.), 3m 47.8s 1 Glenn Cunningham (U.S.A.), 3m 45.2s 2 L. Beealli (Italy), 3m 49.2s 3 The next to finish were:—A. Sanfomani (United States), 3m 50s, 4; P. Edwards (Canada), 3m 50.45, 5; J. E. Cornes (Britain), 3m 51.45, 6. Lovelock and Cunningham both broke W. R. Bonthron's world record of 3m 48.85, while three others—all except Cornes—improved the Olympic record of 3m 51.25. 400 Metres (437 Yards). (Holder of title: W. A. Carr, United States, 46.25.) Heat-winnei a.—These include: W. Roberts (Britain), 48.15; A. G. Brown (Britain), 48.85. Others to qualify include: J. Loaring (Canada), W. Fritz (Canada), D. Shore (South African I record holder), M. Lanzi (Italy), W ! Metzner (German champion), G. Ramp- ' ling (Britain, Empire Games champion) I V. Strandvall (Finnish champion), also thi ee United States, two French and one German competitors. Quarter-finals.—First heat: Roberts 1 Smallwood 2, Lanzi 3. Time, 47.75! Second heat: Blazejezak 1, Brown 2 Fritz 3. Time, 48.25. Third heat: Williams 1, Juan Anderson (Argentina) 2 Loaring 3. Time, 48s. Fourth heat: Luvalle 1, Skawinski 2. Ramplin"- 3. Time, 47.65. ,

Pole Vault. (Holder of title: \V. Miller, United States, * 14ft liin, Games record.) Final.—Earle Meadows (United States), 4.35 metres, approximating 14ft 3.2 in, 1; Sueo Oe and Shuhei Nishida (both Japan), 4.25 metres, equal, 2. Meadows broke the record. Weight-lifting. Tourni (Egypt) broke his own record with a military press, lifting 115 kilos. Later he lifted 117.5 kilos, which is not to be recognised. 110 Metres Hurdles (120 Yards 1 Foot). (Holder of title: G. J. Saling, United States. 14.65.) First Semi-final.—Towns (United States), 14.15, 1; Lidman (Sweden), 14.55, 2; J. Thornton (Britain), 14.75, 3. The winner's time is a world record. Second Semi-final.—D. O. Finlay (Britain), 14.55, 1; F. Pollard (United States), 14.05, 2; L. O'Connor (Canada), 15s, 3. Final,—Towns, 14.2s (equalling standing world record), 1; Finlay, 14.45, 2; Pollard, 14.45, 3; Lidman, 4; Thornton, 5; O'Connor, 0. The winner's time created an Olympic record. Hop, Step and Jump. (Holder of title: C. Nambu, Japan, 51ft 7in.) Final.—Tajima (Japan), 16 metres, approximately 52ft of in, 1; Harada (Japan), 15.60 metres, 2; Jack Metcalfe (Australia), 15.50 metres, 3; Woellnor, 15.27 metres, 4; Oshima (Japan), 15.1 metres, 5; Romero, 15.0S metres, 6. Of the 23 who qualified Dickinson (Australia) cleared 14 metres, equal to 46ft, as also did Metcalfe ia the preliminary.