The Olympic Games

Evening Star, Issue 21170, 2 August 1932, Page 5

The Olympic Games

New Zealanders Perform Well

Savidan Fourth In 10,000 Metres

Elliott Shows His Calibre

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.

LOS ANGELES, July 31. Jan Kusocinski (Poland) won the 10,000-metres by 10yds. Volmari lso : hollo (Finland) was second, and Lauri Virtanen (Finland) third. Savidan (New Zealand) was fourth. Fifteen started.'” Time, 30min 11 2-ssec, breaking Nurmi’s Olympic record, but not Nurmi’s world record. . . The race opened with Kusocinski, Lindgren, Isohollo,’ Savidan, Virtanen, and Syring in that order, which was maintained for four laps. Savidan dropped to fifth place at the end or the fourth lap and to sixth place in the fifth lap. The pace that was being set by the leaders was hard on Savidan, who, however, went into fourth place at the eighth lap, but he dropped to fifth at the ninth lap. The leading positions were then held without much change until 7,000 metres, when Isohollo increased his pace. He was first, Kusocinski second, Virtanen third half alap behind, and Savidan_ fourth threequarters of a length' behind. Isohollo and Kusocinski alternated in the lead until the last lap, when the Pole sprinted to victory. Savidan was 450 metres behind the three leaders at the finish. NOT DISGRACED At the Olympic village the Australian Press representative interviewed the Australian and New Zealand managers this evening. . „ ’ The Australian manager said: Considering that Golding was meeting such a crack field, he ran remarkably well. His individual time was approximately 53 l-ssec, and is an improvement on the former Olympic record. Golding lost his step at the second last hurdle, otherwise he might have beaten Lord Burghley for third place in the semifinals.”. The New Zealand manager (Mr P. N. Bundle) said: “ Elliott and Savidan performed up to expectations. They ran fine races, meeting extraordinary competition. Savidan is beaten but not disgraced, and Elliott is still in the hunt.” Speaking of the chances of the rowing eight, he said he believed that the Germans and Italians were really to be feared, not the Americans, the British, or the Canadians. The Germans had the benefit of training under the New Zealand coach Sullivan. Mr Bundle disclosed that Count Baillet Latour, president of the International Olympic Federation, would probably arrive in Wellington on his contemplated Australian and New Zealand tour in time to participate in the ceremony of welcome to the New Zealand Olympic team on its return.

HIGH JUMP TITLE Duncan M’Naughton (Canada) won the high jump final with 6ft 6Jin after a long-drawn-out battle with Bobert Von Osdel (United States). M’Naughton and Von Osdel beat oft the field by going over 6ft 6in, but neither was able to get over the bar at 6ft 7in. Then started a long-drawn duel which held the crowd of 55,000, the tense silence being broken only by gasps as one or the other tried a new height. Neither could get over 6ft 6jin, and when the bar was lowered to 6ft 6in the tiring jumpers failed on the first try. When M’Naugliton soared over the crossbar on the second trial those in the stands rose and paid tribute to the Canadian flag. Von Osdel missed his try. The official measurement showed that the bar had sagged slightly, and M’Naugliton is credited with 6ft ogin. This is the first time in Olympic history that the title has been wrested from the United States. Toribio (Philippines) . was third.

PROTEST DISMISSED

In the first trial heat of the 800metres Genung (United States), after being boxed and bumped at the start, shot into the lead in the back stretch and won handily. The officials held up the announcement of the result because of a collision between Edwards and Keller (France) on the last turn. Edw’ards and Keller cut over at the same time, and in a mix-up the Frenchman had to extend his hands and come to a stop to avoid falling. Keller pulled up in the stretch, making no effort to close the gap. Previously Keller and Genung had elbowed each other. The council of the International Amateur Athletic Federation met at night to ru e on the protest as to whether Edwards should be disqualified. France s protest was overruled. AUCKLANDER’S PLUCKY EFFORT In the first heat of the quarter finals of the 100-metres Williams (Canada) showed that ho had held himself in reserve in the first trials.. He was very fast in the quarter final. Elliott showed his calibre in the third heat of the quarter finals. Yoshioka pressed Metcalf hard 10yds from the start. The negro had got away first, but the Japanese was 6in away at the halfway mark. The negro then drew ahead to win by a yard. The New Zealander gave Yoshioka a hard race, being barely a foot behind at the finish. Jonath, in setting a new Olympic record in the fourth heat of the quarter final, beat Joubert by a yard. Pearson was a weak third. . The officials, after a lapse of three hours, announced that Healey s first trial time in the 400-metres hurdles was not the record-breaking time announced, but actually 54 1-Ssec. It is understood that Charlton, who has been out of the water for five days, is suffering again from arm anc j shoulder soreness. He will bo treated to-night by a prominent British pliysician who is resident in Los Angeles. The United States fencing team outpointed Argentina in the first round or the foils event, winning 10 out of 10 onsets. Denmark won 11 out of 10 with Mexico, and France defeated Argentina by 12 to 4. Concluding results of the 100 metres (second trials) : —Third Heat. — Metcalf (United States) 1 Yoshioka (Japan) 2 Elliott (New Zealand) 3 Ernest Page (Britain) 4 Time, 10 7-10 sec. —Fourth Heat. — Jonath (Germany) ... 1 Joubert (South Africa) " Pearson (Canada) v Dealmeida (Brazil) 4 Anno (Japan) o Time, lOlsec, also surpassing the Olympic record.

THE OPENING CEREMONY

A MARVELLOUS SIGHT (By Radio.) Miss Nola Luxford, the New Zealand actress and special correspondent of" the New Zealand ‘ Free Lance/ spoke from KFI, Los Angeles, last night, and referring to the opening ceremony of the Tenth Olympiad said that the Stadium at which the. ceremony was held was one of the largest in the world, and there were 105,000 people present from all the countries of the world. There were 2,000 athletes from thirtynine countries in the grand parade, and “ it was one of those sights when one’s soul was stirred to the depths.” The various countries were placed alphabetically in the parade, and the Australians looked fine in their green blazers and white flannels, while the girls wore green blazers and white skirts. On they came, the Canadians looking most inspiring. They were a very large team, in brilliant scarlet and white, one of the most colourful pictures of the day. Great Britain’s team looked particularly well in navy and white. The Indian boys all w,ore' turbans.. Italy had a very large team,and Japan’s large team marched with great precision. But it was the New Zealanders who brought Miss Luxford to her feet to cheer them again and again. They looked fine, and were headed by Mr P. N. Bundle, followed by the sole lady representative, Miss Thelma Kench, and Mr “ Dorrie ” Leslie in the rear.

After referring to the opening addresses, Miss Luxford said it was a marvellous sight to see the 2,000 bronzed athletes taking the oath of the Olympiad. It was wonderful in this time of peace that all nations could meet on common ground. One important slogan of the Olympic Games was that “ It is not the winning but the taking part ” tjint counts.

“ DORRIE ” LESLIE FIRED FIRST SHOT.

“ Dorrie ” Leslie, Wellington’s veteran starter, fired the first shot at the Tenth Olympiad. This information was. conveyed to New Zealanders by Air Leslie himself last night from KFI, Los Angeles, the various comments ifiado from this station being rebroadcast by 4ZI, Dunedin. Mr Leslie spoke on the events of the first day, Sunday (by American time).

“ I fired the first shot at the Games,” said “ Dome.” “ I started the four heats of the 400 metres hurdles, and four great heats they were.” Mr Leslie expressed his pleasure at having the chance of speaking to New Zealand listeners, and said that that day had been the first of the athletic contests proper, and what a day! Olympic records were broken several times, but a woman was the first to break a world’s record. Miss Didriksbn threw the javelin 145 ft 4in with her first throw—more than lift better than the world’s record. Eddie Tolan ran the 100 metres in 10.4 and Jonath in 10.6, said Mr Leslie, and in the 400 metres hurdles Hardin (United States) and Healey (United States) both broke Olympic records. Kusocinski broke the Olympic record in, doing SOmin 11 2-ssec for 10,000 metros, said Mr Leslie. “It was a wonderful race, described as the big event of the day. It was a tussle between Kusocinski and Isohollo, of Finland, who fought it out to the last turn of the quarter-mile. “ Savidan ran a great race,” said Mr Leslie. “He ran fourth in the 10,000 metres, and tried every yard. He was very tired at the finish, and was sorry lie let them get so far in the first threequarters of a mile.” Mr Leslie said that in the 100 metres Jonath was regarded as a serious threat to Tolan, Metcalf, and Simpson, of the United States.

Fifty thousand people watched the events, said Mr Leslie, and lie stated that in the 100 metres the Now Zealander, .Allan Elliott, had run well, being second in his heat in 10 3-oscc, and third iii the next round. Mr Leslie apparently made an error when ho said that Elliott qualified for the final on Monday (American time), since the cables give it that Elliott qualified for the semi-finals by finishing third in the quarter finals. “ Don Evans did In's best,” said Mr Leslie. “ Ue trained hard, and I believe the hard grounds knocked him out in training.” THE EQUESTRIAN EVENTS. Speaking from KFI, Los Angeles, last night, the ex-Australian all-round athlete, Mr 11. (“ Snowy ”) Baker, said that for the last two and a-half years ho had been preparing for the equestrian events, which would be hold to-

wards the end of the Olympic Games, and would take place at the Riviera Country Club.

Horsemen from the various countries would vie with each other in a test of twenty-six miles. Then they had to gallop across country, through ups and downs, for five miles, and then they entered the Riviera proper, where they went over a two and a-half-niilc steeplechase with eighteen stiff jumps. Another sixteen miles across country followed with a lot move jumps. There were further tests on the second day, and on the third day jumping at the Olympic ‘ stadium. AUSTRALIANS FIT. Mr Baker said that Mr Eve (manager) and Mrs Chambers (chaperon), of tho Australian team, told him on Saturday that the Australian competitors were fit and ready to do the utmost for their land. He referred especially to the swimmers, and said that “Boy” Charlton was given as great a chance as anybody in the distance swimming, and “ Bobby ” Pearce, the sculler, would be hardest to beat in the sculling championship, it was felt. His father told “ Snowy ” that “ the only way for Bobby to be beaten was, for his boat to capsize.” Bonnie, Mealing, Australia’s backstroke swimmer, was conceded to have a great chance.

MR BUNDLE WRITES

THE MANAGER'S IMPRESSIONS ' Writing to a. friend in Dunedin on July 5 from the Olympic Village, Los Angeles, the manager of the New Zealand team (Mr P. N. Bundle) said that the team was settled down in its home for a few weeks. • New Zealand was one of the first teams to arrive, and the New Zealand flag was flying right in front of the entrance. The Swedes arrived that day, and the Japanese. at the end of the week. The British team, under Lord Burghley, were to arrive on July 23, and would be right next to the New Zealanders. Everyone was showering hospitality on the New Zealanders. Over 500 people were trying to get in touch with them on Sunday afternoon, but ,they were'out at Hollywood. “ You would be delighted and proud at the high estimation in which'New Zealanders are held; nothing but praise, and it is very gratifying,” said Mr Bundle. “ We arrived at San Francisco on 'Friday morning, and I decided to stay over and eoine down by boat on Saturday,” said the New Zealand, manager. Miss Bathie Stewart, of Dunedin, and now a journalist in the United States, looked the New Zealanders up; and Miss Nola Luxford, another New Zealander, who is an actress at Hollywood, also came to .seo them. She was appearing in a splendid English play in San Francisco, in an English company, and the New Zealanders were their guests at the theatre. The New Zealanders were besieged by reporters and photographers when they arrived at Wilmington, after which they drove the twenty-five miles to Los Angeles through oilfields and countryside. In the afternoon they were taken for a drive, going through Hollywood and along the famous Hollywood boulevard, stopping at the wonderful Chinese* theatre (where they signed the register), then on through Beverley Hills, where they saw the homes of the famous picture stars, Adolphe Menjou, Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin, Gloria Swanson, and hosts of others; then through to Los Angeles and home. Mr Bundle’s chief impression was the number of motor cars. Everyone used them, and on Sunday there were miles and miles of them passing in their tens of thousands. The visitors saw a solitary pedestrian occasionally, and would set up a cheer. The previous day was the “Glorious Fourth,” and' some of the New Zealand team were entertained at Long Beach, a small seaside resort of 150,000 people, with buildings bigger than anything in New Zealand. The New Zealanders were the guests at afternoon tea of Captain Henderson. United States navy and aide-de-camp to the President. The fleet was in port. The visitors had a swim in the sea and then a drive, and dinner at the biggest hotel. When they sat down a big crowd of Canadian Legion of Frontiersmen marched in, stationed themselves behind the Now Zealanders’ chairs, and gave them their war cries, songs, and speeches. Mr Bundle had to reply. The New Zealanders returned to the village with a police car as escort. It was their intention to send a. mounted escort, but they were all on duty, as there wore about 250,000 people on the parade. The traffic was indescribable, but when the police car sounded its siren all traffic had to get out of the way, so the Maorilanders returned like a triumphal army. Mr Bundle expected everything to be in working order within a few days of writing and the teams to be in full training. Mr Bundle had a hut to himself in the Olympic Village, and one room was used as an office, while he also had an office in the administration building. Reporters and photographers swarmed everywhere.

NOTES AND COMMENTS

PERFORMANCES REVIEWED

[By H.P.S.]

There will be general satisfaction by New Zealand sportsmen that both A. J. Elliott and J. W. Savidan, fellow Aucklanders, should have performed so creditably on the opening day of the athletic mopetition, Sunday, duly 31, which corresponds to Monday morning by New Zealand time. Savidan is well known to Otago athletic enthusiasts, and local cross-coun-try runners who have competed against him have always averred that he was one of the greatest distance runners the dominion had seen. This was proved at Hamilton when he won the 65-mile championship of the British Empire Games and now in the 10,000 metres (6J miles) at the. Tenth Olympiad he has shown himself to be among the world's best four, and it was no disgrace for him to be beaten by a runner of the calibre of Jan Knsocinski. who now has the four mile world's record, 3,000 metres world’s record, and 10,000 metres Olympic mark against his name. The former Olvmpic record for 10,000 metres was Nurmi’s 1928 performance of 30min 18 4-sscc, and Nurmi stdl holds the world’s record of 30min 6 1-5 see, put up in 1924. The 10,000 metres provided a great battle on this occasion between Kusocinski and the Finn, Volmari Jsohollo. It is pleasing, too, to see that Nurmi’s exclusion from the Games has not brought the unpleasantness that was suggested in some quarters. While Finland mav not have found a successor to the 'peerless distance runner thev have apparently two good substitutes, second and third places being filled bv the Finns. Tn 1928 Nurmi was first and his countryman, llitola, second. Tn the last few laps these men fought out the issue on their own, leaving the field steadily behind. There

were thirty-four laps, but after half a dozen more than one of the competitors were lapped. Just as Kusocinski and Ihohollo were together on Sunday entering the last lap. so, too, Nurmi and Hitola were together when the hell sounded for the final lap on the previous occasion. Nurmi won by 10yds, and by a similar distance Kusocinski won on this occasion.

Elliott has come through well, considering the calibre of the men ho has had to meet in the 100 metres event, and by virtue of his third place in the quarter-finals goes into the semi-finals. “ Dome ” Leslie stated over the radio from Los Angeles that Elliott was running well, and high hopes were held of him in the semi-final, which will have been decided by the time these notes apepar. In his trial round heat Elliott finished second to the German record-breaker, Jonath, who equalled the Olympic record of 10 3-ssec and then broke it in the final by running 10£sec. Americans are regarding him as a serious rival to their great trio— Simpson, Metcalf, and Tolan —in the semi-finals and final, according to wireless messages. Metcalf, who won Elliott’s heat of the quarter-finals, is the negro who twice recently ran 100yds in 9Jsec, the 100 metres in 10 l-ssec, and the 220yds in 2Qisec. He has powerful legs and gets ; tremendous driving power. Frank Wykoff, American recordbreaker, broke down again and did not compete owing to a strained back, but the holder of the recognised world’s record for 100yds (9isec), Eddie Tolan, not merely broke the Olympic record in the 100 metres quarter-finals, but equalled the world’s record of C. W. Paddock, put up in 1921. He is a member of University of Michigan team, and has been beaten previously by ; Metcalf. Percy Williams, the defending champion in both 100 metres and 200 metres, was the joint holder of the former. Olympic record of 10 3-ssec, and though said to have been disappointing could not have been so much below his former Olympic form in finishing third to Tolan in the first heat of the second round, and thus qualifying for the semi-final. George Simpson, who recently- toured New Zealand, was third in the American 100 metres Olympic trials, and has been running consistently so far, though he is likely to prove hardest in the furlong.. Joubert, the South African, who ran Jonath close in his heat of the second round, must not be considered out of the picture yet, for he is a man who is claimed to have done 9 2-ssec for 100yds, though the performance did not gain recognition. Yoshioka, who beat Elliott into second place in his heat, is the outstanding Japanese sprinter. Don Evans was well beaten in his heat of the first round of the 800 metres and finished a bad fifth. The New Zealand selectors did not recommend his inclusion in the New Zealand team, because‘they feared that having been out of form practically all the season he would find it difficult to regain form just before the Games, and retain it long enough' to perform impressively. Sympathy will be felt; for Evans for, according to Mr “ Dorrie ” Leslie, he has trained hard and done his best, but the hard tracks did for him, as might have been expected for a man trying to strike form. Eddie Genung won Evans's heat, and Phil Edwards, the Canadian negro, was second. . Edwards was fourth in the final of the last Olympic 800 metres. Dr Otto Peltzer is undoubtedly still a great runner, and he managed third place in a heat won in Imin 52 4-ssec —only Isec outside the Olympic record. Tom Hampson, the English half-mile champion, . who has been picked by Jack Lovelock as the ultimate winner of the 800 metres, went a splendid trial round to beat the former world’s record holder (Imin 50 ‘3-ssec), Sera Martin, in Imin 53sec. ■ . :

There should be some wonderful running in the final of the 800 metres, which will be run to-day (American time), the results of which will come through to-morrow.

An event that would attract r uch interest would be the final of the 400 metres hurdles, in which those who have qualified include Hardin (of the United States), Taylor (United States), and Lord Burghley (Britain’s captain).

The result of one of the semi-finals has not been cabled, but from the wireless account it would appear that both R. M. N. Tisdall (Ireland) and the Italian, Facelli, have qualified, and the other finalist is probably Joseph Healey, who is a member of the New York Athletic Club. Tisdall is the former university all-round athlete, but is now living in Ireland. Morgan Taylor and Lord Burghley are old and keen rivals. Burghley .is the defending 400 metres hurdles champion ; Taylor was third at the last Olympic Games, just before which he put up a world’s record of 52sec for ; the: 400 metres hurdles. R. O, Johnson, the New Zealand representative athlete, told the writer that after the.last Empire Games, in the British EmpireAmerica match, Burghley and Taylor met in the last lap of a relay over a half-mile steeplechase course, Burghley winning. Hardin and Taylor (both United States) beat Lord Burghley in the semi-final yesterday, but the issue in the final would appear to. have been very open.

Leo Sexton, who won the shot putt final, established an Olympic record of 52ft 6 3-16 in. He is a former American ' title-holder, and in the American trials did 52ft Sin, which beat the official world’s record of 62ft 7Jin, held by the German, Hirschfield, who was fourth in the Olympic event, behind Harlow.* Rothert (who toured the dominion and holds the New Zealand record), and another record-breaker in Douda, of Czccho-Slovakia. In the high jump, the title, for the first time, was wrested from the United States by Donald M'Naughton, of Canada, after a great contest with Robert Von Osdel, of the United States,' both these athletes being students at the University of Southern California. New Zealand will feel proud that Mr “ Dome ” Leslie, the genial Wellington starter, was given the privilege of starting the first athletic event at the Games. It was a great tribute' to a famous starter. TO-DAY’S PROGRAMME. The programme for to-day , the results of which will come through to-morrow, is;— . Athletics.—llo metres hurdles (trial 1 and semi-finals), broad jump, ladies’ discus, 200 metres (trials 1 and trials 21. 800 metres final, 100 metres ladies' final, 5.000 metres men’s (trials). Fencing.—Foil (men and women). Wrestling.—-Free style. Track Cycling.—l.ooo metres scratch i quarter finals and reclassification). -1.000 metres pursuit race (trials and quarter finals). Pentathlon :—Equestrian. [Events decided on Mondav (American time) appear on page 12.]

£27 FOR GREEN HAIR

WOMAN SUES THE DYERS TERSE REMARKS BY JUDGE. How a woman’s hair turned a blueygreen, with patches of red, after having been dyed at a hairdresser’s, in consequence of which she “ retired to the background ” and would not go out or take her hat off, was told at the Clerkenwell County Court. Mrs Laura James, a London cookhousekeeper, claimed £SO damages from a hairdressing firm. She stated that she went to defendant’s shop to . have her hair waved and dyed to two shades darker than ash blonde. The husband said that when he met his wife in the park after she had., had her hair dyed it was a bluey-greeri and black, with red patches. It remained unsightly for several months, and became a dirty auburn colour. She would not go out, and, instead of going to the seaside, they retired to a country cottage for a holiday. Mrs James's enlployer stated that she took the plaintiff off serving at tabic and answering the door.

The defence was that the dye was used after advice had been obtained from experts, to whom a specimen of the plaintiff’s hair was submitted. Mrs James was alleged to have said that she used peroxide and liquid ammonia on her hair, and experts suggested that any colour difficulty after the dye was applied was due to the absorbent condition of tlie hair after using the peroxide and ammonia.

Judge Dumas, making an award of £27 and costs, remarked that it was difficult to assess damage to a woman’s hair in these days. At one time a woman’s hair was her glory, and she was proud when she could sit on her long tresses. Now her hair was cut short, shingled, and bobbed, and generally maltreated.