CHAMBERLAIN 2ND FASTEST QUALIFIER

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30575, 19 October 1964, Page 16

CHAMBERLAIN 2ND FASTEST QUALIFIER

(Special Correspondent N.ZF-A.) TOKYO, October 18. Miss Marise Chamberlain looked at the top of her form in qualifying comfortably for the semi-final of the women’s 800 metres at the Olympic stadium this morning. The Canterbury girl finished second in the fastest of the three heats, in an impressive 2min 68sec. It was the second fastest of all the qualifying times.

There was a sensation in the Australian camp when Miss Dixie Willis, the world record - holder, withdrew. She was examined by a doctor and told not to compete only 15 minutes before her heat was due to start.

She has been suffering from nervous hysteria since she

arrived in Tokyo two weeks ago. Miss Chamberlain had to run in pouring rain, but it seemed to make no difference to her. She loped easily through the opening lap of the first heat of the event and at the bell was well positioned in fourth place, behind Marvonne Dupureur, of France, Vera Mukhanova, of Russia, and Nagy Szabo, of Hungary. Looking strong and confident, Miss Chamberlain moved easily into second place behind Dupureur down the back straight. She seemed

quite content to hold the position to qualify and was not seriously challenged in the straight. She coasted home over the final 50 yards. Dupureur won by about eight yards, in a time of 2min 4.ssec that was exceptionally good considering the poor weather conditions. The Olympic record, set four years ago at Rome by Ljudmila Shevtsova (Russia), is only a fifth of a second faster. British Girls Won The other two heats were won by British runners. Miss M. Hodson took the second heat in 2min B.ssec and Miss Ann Smith the third, in 2min Bsec. The first five place-getters from each heat and the fastest loser qualified for the semi-finals, to be held tomorrow at 5.20 p.m. (New Zealand time). They were: Dupureur. Chamberlain, N. Szabo (Hungary), V. Mukhanova (United States), A. Packer (Britain). Hodson, A. Worner (Germany), Z. Skobtsova (Russia), G. Kraan (Netherlands), M. Kyle (Ireland), Smith, A. Gleichfeld (Germany), L. Arik (Russia), G. Farkas (Jugoslavia), and J. Van Eyck Vos (Netherlands). The fastest loser was O. Kazi (Hungary),

On her form today. Miss Chamberlain looks a certain medal winner and could lead home the field in the final on Tuesday afternoon.