LAVERY'S RECORD

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 37, 14 February 1938, Page 10

LAVERY'S RECORD

REFEREE CRITICISED

WHICH WAY DID WIND BLOW?

(Received February 14, 12.30 p.m.)

SYDNEY, This Day.

The "Sydney Morning Herald" says: "Amazement was caused when the re; feree, Mr. Langford, ruled that Lavery, who broke the world's record in the 120 yds hurdles, was by the breeze. This will probably prevent the South African's record being internationally recognised. Many experts, including the 'Heralds* athletics reporter, disagreed with the,, referee's ruling, as, in their opinion, the wind was slight and blew across the course. It will be unfair to* Lavery if the ruling of the referee debars his time from being accepted as a world record." '

The "Herald" adds: "Fortunately for the peace of the gathering, the referee's report'was not announced to the public, otherwise the applause for1 Lavery would *have been turned to a tumultu-i ous demonstration of hostility such as has never previously been heard in the Sydney Cricket, Ground, and would have been ose dark spot on one of the brightest and greatest contests between world-famous athletes on record." . . .

The "Herald's" representative asked Mr. Langford for an official statement. His reply was, "The wind assisted the runners and the record cannot be passed."

"Where was the wind coming from?" asked the reporter. « ' "I do not know,"= replied the referee.

"Was it a northerly breeze^ or was it from the north-east?" asked the reporter. ' ■ •

"I cannot say, but I know it assisted them, because it was behind them. It touched them on the shoulders," said Mr. Langford.

The "Herald's" reporter adds: "It wasapparent that the referee was perplexed and was unable to state definitely what really happened."