NOTES AND COMMENTS

Evening Star, Issue 19931, 30 July 1928, Page 6

NOTES AND COMMENTS

tßy Pistol.]

So far, little but heats have been decided in the athletic section at the Olympic Games, but it is pleasing to be able to record that, to date, at least, Britain mid dominions have been ly prominent. One worlds record has already fallen, this being in the 161 b shot-putting championship, which was won by Kuck, of the United States, whose winning effort was 52ft 11 l-16iii. Kuck hag proved himself a Wonderfully consistent nt putter, and a couple of months hack in America he was successful in breaking Ralph Rose’s long-standing world’s record of 51ft, so that he has again improved upon his previous record effort, which ha? yet to he passed. From the results of the boats that have come through it is apparent that the present Olympiad is one of the most representative that has yet been held, and it is worthy of note that Germany is represented for the first time since 1912. Recent messages suggested that the Australians were finding conditions far from their liking, and this is borne out by the performances of some of the Commonwealth representatives in the heat. Carlton was a close second to Raggamdi, of Hungary, in the LOG metres in llscc, and may run better in the second round. The times in the lint events in the heats have been good without being particularly outstanding, but better may be looked for as the meeting progresses. Britain's best sprinter, J, Is. London, ran well in the 100 metres, registering 10 4-ssec in his heat, this being equalled by M'Callister, an American flier, and Lammers, of Germany. Houben is another German who has qualified in this event, and while he is, perhaps, better over 200 metres, he is no mean performer over the shorter distance. At the English championships last year Houbeu won the 220yds championship. Legg, the South African sprinter, has also qualified, and on recent performances jt is quite reasonable to expect that he will have a good chance of reaching the final six. S. J. M Atkinson, the South African all-rounder, who was second in the 110 metres hurdles at the 1924 Games, has qualified in the short sprint, but Legg will probably prove too good for him. Uangley, who won his heat, wa» at the last Olympic Games, representing Britain, and won his heat in llsec, then being third to Porritt amt the American Bowman, who were thud and fourth in the final respectively. Russell, of the United States, ts another great sprinter with many good performances to his credit during the last year or two, but as far as 1 can gather from my record this is his first Olympiad. He is likely to play a part in the final. There is no mention as to whether New Zealand was represented in this event by Dr A. E. Porritt or not. The 400-metres hurdles final should be one of the best contested events of the Games, for among those who have qualified are Lord Burghley (holder of the British 440yds hurdles record of 54sec)» Gibson (of the United States, whose world’s record of 52 3-sseo for 440yds hurdles is awaiting sanction), Taylor (of the United States, who won the event at the 1924 Games)., Pettersson (a Swede who has registered 53 4-sscc for 400 metres hurdles), and Cuhel (of the United States, whoso 54 3-ssec was the best otforn yesterday). It will probably bo found that Gibson, Burghley, Taylor, and Pettersson will be fighting out the final, though Guild will have to he reckoned with. Watson, who was beaten in the Australasian championships, at Wellington last December by Ramson and Nosdalc, of New Zealand, who is the holder of the Australasian record lor 440yds hurdles, represented Australia in this event, and was suffering from lameness, finishing nowhere in his heat. In the 800 metres championship I). G. A. Lowe, holder of the Olympic title for this distance, was beaten in his heat by Dengra, of the Argentine, but be may run better in the final. Both Dr Peltzer (of Germany) ami Lloyd Hahn, who tourned New Zealand in 1926, did not strike his best form, qualified, Hahn’s Imin sCsec being the best effort on the day. The track looks to have been on the slow side, for Hahn, Low, and Peltzer arc all capable of faster times than this. This trio may yet bo found fighting out a liard-and-fast-nm final. Martin, of Switzerland, who was second in this event in 1924, will also have to be reckoned with, for he beat Ray Watson, of America, in his heat, and_ Watson has been credited with Imin 53 3-ssec for 880yds. “ Tickle ” Whyte, the ex-Australasian champion, finished fourth, and C. S. Stuart, also of Australia, failed to reproduce the form he showed when he won the 44flyds and 880yds at the last Australasian championships, being a bad last in his heat.