Trials Crowd Displeased By Jim Baileys Antics

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28099, 15 October 1956, Page 12

Trials Crowd Displeased By Jim Baileys Antics

OLYMPIC GAMES

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

(Rec. 7 p.m.) MELBOURNE. Oct. 14. Jim Bailey, conqueror of John Landy over a mile in California earlier in the year, won the 800 metres easily in Imin 51.2 sec—and earned the displeasure of the crowd—on the first day of the Australian Olympic athletic trials yesterday. Bailey tapped another competitor, B. Butchart. on the arm about 200 yards from home to get through. Then he looked across and grinned at Don Macmillan as he passed him to take the lead. Sections of the 14,000 cfowd hooted his actions. “You’re just a skite, ,r some of them shouted. Bailey and Macmillan were called before the track referee, Mr A. V. Schober. Bailey said afterwards: “These Australian officials are much more touchy than the Americans. “In the States I can pat a man on the bottom, (as he did to Landy there) and pat them on the arm as I go past and nothing is said.” Bailey said Mr Schober thought he had forced Macmillan outside. “This was not the case,” Bailey said: “I merely looked across at Don and laughed at the funny expression he had on his face.’’ Macmillan agreed. Bailey said he doubted if he could get within 30 yards of the Olympic 800 metres winner and preferred to concentrate on the 1500 metres. But he hoped to run in both events for Australia, he said. John Landy, resting his injured achilles tendons in the stand, described Bailey’s 800 metres showing as “a really good run.” Asked if ‘he thought he could beat Bailey over 1500 metres, Landy re-

plied: “I don’t think I could run 1500 metres at present.” A big disappointment was Dave Stephens, top Australian distance running prospect for the Games. Stephens broke down after seven laps of the 5000 metres and finished half a lap behind the Australian record-holder, Alan Lawrence. Stephens refused an interview afterwards and left the ground immediately. Several Australian records were broken during yesterday’s trials, including one by Shirley Strickland, who beat her own 80 metres hurdles record. Main results were:— Men’s Events 800 Metres.—J. Bailey (N.S.W.) 1. L. Gregory (S.A.) 2, J. Douglas (V.) 3. Time, Imin 51.2 sec. 5000 Metres.—A. Lawrence (N.S.W.) 1, A. Thomas (N.S.W.) 2, D. Power (N.S.W.) 3. Time, 14min 4.6 sec. 3000 Metres Steeplechase—G. Thomas (N.S.W.) 1. R. Blackney (V.) 2, N. Robbins (V.) 3. J. Pierce (N.S.W.) 4. Time, Bmin 56.25ec (Australian record broken by first three place-getters). Women's Events Discus Throw.—L. Jackman (V.) 1, S. Cotton (N.S.W.) 2, V. Lawrence (W.A.) 3. Distance, 138 ft sin (Australian record). 100 Metres.—B. Cuthbert (N.S.W.) 1, M. Matthews (N.S.W.) 2, N. Crocker (Q.) 3, S. Strickland (W.A.) 4, G. Cooke (N.S.W.) 5. Time, 11.7 sec (Victorian record). 80 Metres Hurdles.—First division: B. Mcßeavie (N.S.W.) 1, B. Basford (V.) 2, P. Johnson (V.) 3. Time, ll.Ssec. Second division: S. Strickland (W.A.) 1, N. Austin (S.A.) 2, G. Cooke (N.S.W.) 3. Time, Usee. (Strickland broke her own Australian record by l.lOsec.) High Jump.—J. Cooper (N.S.W.) 1, M. Mason (N.S.W.) 2, P. Bergin (S.A.) and C. Bernoth (Q.) (equal) 3. Height, sft