OLYMPIC GAMES

Evening Star, Issue 19942, 11 August 1928, Page 6

OLYMPIC GAMES

Australia Wins the Seulls New Zealand Boxer Again Scores Misses Miller and Stockley Qualify in Swimming

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright AMSTT&IDAM, August 10. (Received August 11, at 11.30 a.m.) In the Olympic single sculls of 2,000 metres H. R. Pearce (Australia) was first, with Myers (America) second. Pearce won comfortably by five lengths in 7min llsec. Tho Australian led by half a length at 250 metres. At 500 metres Myers spurted, Pearce being a length ahead. At 1,000 he was a length and a-half ahead. At 1,250 Myers again spurted. Pearce was two lengths ahead at 1,500 metres Pearce, spurting, led by tftree lengths at 1,750 metres, and eventually won by five lengths. The most critical stage was at the 250 post, when the American, Myers, was going his hardest in hope of holding Pearce. He practically succeeded during the next 500, but although striking twenty-nine to P.earce’s twenty-eight, the latter had gained three-quarters at 1,250. It was tho end of the story, because the lead was increased to three lengths at 1,750. Myers made a gallant effort, but his strokes lacked power, whereas Pearce’s long swinging drive was irresistable. A surprise was the relative slowness of the time compared with tho time against Collett Pearce was invested with a garland of flowers at the official stand. He then rowed back past tho cheering spectators, a band playing ‘ God Save the King.’ Pearce’s victory was immensely popular, and was witnessed by tho largest crowd so far. Pearce was so overwrought that lie burst into tears when tho laurel wreath was handed to him Dutch children, by whom he has been idolised for a month past, presented him with ■ a pair of clogs on which wore the children’s signatures.

SECOND HEAT. Miss Olsen (Denmark), 75 4-Ssec ... 1 Miss Ena Stockley (New Zealand), 76 2-ssec 2 Miss Edna Davey (Australia), 78sec 3 Miss Davoy did not qualify, THIRD HEAT. Miss K. Miller (New Zealand) was second in 77 I-ssec. SIXTH HEAT. Miss Mealing (Australia) was third, but did not qualify. Miss Stockley and Miss Miller, like the Australians, Miss Mealing and Miss Davey, were unable to reproduce their home form, but nevertheless they made a good light. Miss Mealing especially made a big effort, but she has not become acclimatised, and is unable to combat her growing weight, which is natural for her age when travelling. WELTER-WEIGHT BOXING. SEMI-FINAL. Morgan (New Zealand) beat Calataud (France). COXLESS FOURS. FINAL. Britain beat America by half a length. Time, drain 36sec. DOUBLE SCULLS. FINAL. America beat Canada by five lengths. Time, 6min 41 2-ssec.

Oarsmen of all nations aro paying tribute to Pearce’s excellence. The Englishman, Dudley Ward, said: “He is the best sculler I have seen since Kelly.” Another Australian, Ernest Barry, who defeated Harry Pearce for the world’s championship in 1913, said; “Undoubtedly, ho is one of the best I have seen. He is not only a strong, but is a perfect sculler.” Spencer Golian expressed tho opinion that he is the finest sculler of modern times.

Pearce’s victory gave a brilliant lead to the English four who followed up. beating tho Americans by half a length in a desperate finish, after which the Americans collapsed motionless for several minutes. The American pair boat tho Canadians, Wright and Costello, by fivo lengths. Tho American eight wound up by defeating England by half a length in tho finest race of tho regatta.

A, cable prior to the races states that Myers is a Philadelphian, and he is a loco fireman, thirty-one years of age, and weighs 12st oil). He rowed bow in the American four which was beaten at the Antwerp Olympic in 1920. He took up sculling three years ago and has not worked since April in order to qualify for the Olympiad and train thoroughly. He wears an eyeshade and spectacles, and does not appear as strong as he really is. Although a qualified engineer, he prefers to act as a fireman in order to keep fit. It was appropriate that he should meet Pearce, as only these two have come through tho qualifying rounds undefeated. Burke, the American rowing manager, says he things Pearce is the best sculler ho has ever seen, so ho will not be surprised if Myers is beaten, but th latter has greatly improved and is bound to make Pearce row.

Despite the knuckle which he dislocated while training in England, Morgan, the New Zealander, attacked in his usual determined style against Calataud, , and scored points every round. Once he delivered a left with *aich violence that he jarred his injured finger. He felt a pain in his shoulder, and was compelled to save his left to the utmost. Otherwise he would have knocked out Calataud. Results - SCULLING (2,000 METRES). FINAL. Pearce (Australia) J Myers (America) 2 ROWING EIGHTS FINAL, America 1 Britain " Won by half a length. MEN’S SWIM, 100 METRES. THIRD HEAT. Weismuller (America) ... I Time. 58 3-ssec, an Olympic record. WOMEN’S RELAY SWIM, 400 METRES. FINAL. United States 1 Britain ... 2 South Africa 3 ' Time, 4min 47 3-osec, an Olympic record. WOMEN'S 100 METRES BACKSTROKE, FIRST HEAT. Miss King (Britain) won in 82sec, equalling the world’s record and establishing a new Olympic record. Miss Ena Stockley (New Zealand) was third in 85 2-ssec SECONiD HEAT. Miss Braun (Holland) won in 81 3-ssec—a world’s record. Miss Mealing (Australia) was fourth, but did not qualify for the semi-final. Miss Stockley was the fastest third, and qualified for the semi-final. WOMEN’S 100 METRES FREESTYLE. (First, second, and fastest third qualify for next round.)