FIVE VICTORY MEDALLIONS

Evening Star, Issue 22882, 14 February 1938, Page 14

FIVE VICTORY MEDALLIONS

DEGIMA NDRMAN'S RECORD PERFORMANCE AUSTRALIA WINS THE CHAMPIONSHIP SOUTH AFRICA THE BEST PERCENTAGE SYDNEY, February 14. ((Received February 14, at 11 a.m.) " Tne meeting nas provided by far the finest exhibition in the history of competitive sport between representatives of the Dominions ” said Sir James Leigh Wood, chairman of the British Empire Games Federation. “ The star performer at the Games undoubtedly was Decima Norman, who in addition to three individual wins, was a member of the Australian teams winning the 440 yards and 660 yards relays, so that she receives five gold victory medallions. This achievement has never been equalled by any other athlete in thfe world.” Of the 70 events decided in the sis sections at the 1938 games Australia won 24, England 15, Canada 13, South Africa 10, New; Zealand 5, Wales 2, and Ceylon 1. The unofficial point* table is as follows :—■ Australia 524. Canada 319. England 295, South Africa 188. New Zealand 156. Wales 28. , Scotland 27. Ceylon H. . Rhodesia 10. British Guiana 5. Northern Ireland 3. Fiji 1. Australia with the largest numerical representation (151), won the championship, but the South Africans had the best percentage of wins. LAVERfS RECORD TIME UNLIKELY TO BE RECOGNISED ASSISTED BY WIND. SAYS REFEREE EXPERTS DISAGREE WITH RULING SYDNEY, February 14. (Received February 14, at 1 p.m.) The 4 Sydney Morning Herald ’ says: Amazement was caused when the referee, Mr Langford,, ruled that Lavery was assisted by the breeze, in the 120yds hurdle race at the _ Empire Games on Saturday. This will probably prevent the South African’s world record being recognised as an international one. Many experts, including the ‘ Herald’s ’ 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 for Lavery would have been turned to a tumultuous demonstration of hostility, and would have been a/dark spot on one of the brightest and greatest contest* between world-famous athletes on record. The ‘ Herald's ' representative asked Mr Langford for an, official statement and his reply was “!The wind assisted the runners and the record cannot be passed.” “ Where was the wind coming fromP ” 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 was apparent the referee was perplexed and was unable to state definitely what really happened.”