U.S. And Russia May Take Most Medals

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28133, 23 November 1956, Page 15

U.S. And Russia May Take Most Medals

(N.Z. Press Association— Copyright)

(Rec. 10 p.m.J MELBOURNE. Nov. 22. America and Russia are expected to dominate the Olympic Games, which begin tomorrow with the first events in athletics, fencing, hockey, football, basketball, rowing, boxing and weight-lifting. The pick of the world’s amateur athletes marched on to the green turf of the Melbourne Cricket Ground today for ceremonies opening the sixteenth Games with its age-old traditions of sportsmanship and competition. To the winners go the gold medals and the plaudits of the crowds. For the losers there is the thrill of having competed on even terms with the champions of the world. Olympic officials emphasise the individual nature of the events and frown on any tendency to acclaim a country champion of the Games by right of its nationals’ victories. Nonetheless. the fight for gold medals will be keenest between Russia and the United States, with some observers giving Russia the edge for the first time. The Americans are expected to dominate the men’s track and field events, and to make a better showing in swimming, boxing, yachting and basketball. Russia’s women athletes are impressive, and Soviet competitors should also best the Americans in fencing, modern pentathlon, football, weight-lifting, hockey, shooting, rowing, wrestling, cycling, gymnastics and canoeing. Australia’s Chances Apart from isolated wins here and there, no other country seems likely to win many gold medals except the host country, Australia, which should capture most of the prizes in the swimming events. This is the first time the Games have been staged in the Southern Hemisphere. Sixty-nine nations are taking oart, which equals the record set by Helsinki in 1952. The actual number of competitors taking part is fewer because of travel costs and the long distances involved. ’ . Originally 76 nations were expected but Communist China, Egypt, Iraq. Lebanon, the Netherlands. Spain, and Switzerland, dropped out, all for reasons connected with the international situation. At one time, with the Middle East and Hungary ablaze, it appeared doubtful if the Games would take place. Impartiality Urged The Hungarian team arrived m the midst of its homeland's nationalist uprising and dramatically disowned any Communist sponsorship. With public

sympathies strongly on the Hungarians’ side, officials have been nervous of anti-Russian demonstrations and have appealed to spectators to remain impartial. Apart from the international situation. few Games have had to weather such difficulties. Melbourne won the right to stage the Games by one vote over Buenos Aires at an International Olympic Committee meeting in Rome seven years ago.

Immediately there was bickering among Australian officials, mostly over sites and financing. In 1953 Mr Avery Brundage, president of the International Olympic Committee, was moved to warn: “If you don’t stop squabbling you will lose the Games. ’ Further complications arose when it was found that Australian quarantine regulations would prevent the equestrian events being held here and that firearm laws might interfere with the shooting and modern pentathlon events. The first problem was solved by holding the equestrian events in Stockholm and the second by amending Australian regulations so that team weapons could enter the country. Once Melbourne settled on the sites for the various events work went ahead quickly. The Melbourne Cricket Ground, scene of the athletic events, was extended to accommodate 11.000, and a new swimming pool and a village to house 6000 athletes were built.

Seats for swimming events have been sold out for days and only a little space remains available in the stadium, where every inch of room was taken for the opening ceremony. Guinea tickets for the more exciting track and field events have sold for as much as £l5. and even 6s standing tickets are at a huge premium.

EXPENSES OF YACHT CREWS

FEDERATION CHAIRMAN CRITICISED (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND. November 22. The executive of the Auckland Provincial Yachting Association has passed a vote of censure on the chairman of the New Zealand Yachting Federation (Mr J. E. Gillingham, of Wellington) for his action in personally apportioning the charges upon provincial associations to send the two New Zealand crews to the Olympic Games. Mr Gillingham is section manager of the yachting team at Melbourne. The Auckland chairman (Mr B. Graham) said Auckland was asked to pay £250 and Wellington and Canterbury £125 each.

Seat For Jesse Owens

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 11 p.m.) MELBOURNE. Nov. 22. Jesse Owens, whom every member of the New Zealand Olympic team wishes to meet, was the victim of some official bungling at the Olympic Games opening ceremony today. Owens, the greatest athlete at the Berlin Games in 1936, is visiting Melbourne as one of President Eisenhower’s personal representatives, but he was allotted seats in the staff quarters under the scoreboard. Courteously, Owens, who was accompanied by a woman, approached the press bureau representatives and asked if his seats could be changed. This was swiftly done. It is reported that an inquiry is to be made into the incident. Attempts are being made to have Owens visit the New Zealand team. Valerie Sloper, on performance the best non-Russian shot-putter at the Games, is particularly keen to seek his expert advice.