LOVELOCK WINS 1500 METRES

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 August 1936, Page 7

LOVELOCK WINS 1500 METRES

WORLD’S RECORD BROKEN

WITH COMPARATIVE EASE

[BY CABLE —PEESS ASSN. —COPYEIGHT.]

(Recd. August 7, 1 p.m.) BERLIN, August 6. The Associated Press says: Lovelock finished so fresh in the 1500 metres that he trotted another hundred metres to pick up his sweat suit. A roar of amazed cheers greeted the announcement of a world record, which was astonishing, owing to the comparative ease with which the New Zealander won. It appeared that ho could have knocked off another second if really pressed. Nevertheless, the speed of the race was indicated

by the fact that the first five beat the Olympic record of 231.2 at Los Angeles. Beccali, the winner in 1932, had the unusual experience of beating his own record and finding himself third. Five minutes later, Lovelock, Cunningham and Beccali stood on the victors’ dais before Hitler. Love-

lock was crowned with laurel by a German girl. He received the customary small oak tree in a pot given to all winners, which they are supposed - to'plant in their own country. “Go’d Save the King" was played, many Germans joining in. Lovelock’s victory proved his perfect fitness and superb judgment. Il

ivas obvious at 900 metres that the

race lay between Cunningham, Beccali and the New Zealander, the last of whom was running with typical smoothness and ease. Finally, he produced the electrifying burst of speed, for which he is famous, but which has been missing from his recent performances in England. As he entered the straight with a commanding lead, ‘the British supporters’ excited yells for “Lovelock, Lovelock,” were drowned by the entire Stadium’s outburst of acclamation of the New Zealander’s beautiful style and wonderful performance. The race was run in fine cool weather and a light breeze. Lovelock, according to careful plan, although drawn outside, was fourth or fifth, before he had covered 100 metres, remaing thereabouts until the bell, when he quickly went ahead. This was unusually early for Lovelock, and Dr. Porritt confessed afterwards that he feared to see the champion move up so early, because Lovelock usually remains at the shoulder of the man he intends to

challenge, until near the straight. Nevertheless, making an earlier effort. which his friends have long urged, Lovelock proved so successful that nobody was able to hold him in

the last lap, despite the great pace of the third lap, which was run in 59 seconds. The. first lap was run in G 1 and the second in GG. The Associated Press correspondent says: In the 110 metres, semi-finals, Towns repeated his performance in America where he recently returned 14.1. Another American negro, Pollard, gave Finlay a great race, the English captain only winning the semi-final on a characteristic speedy run in. In the final, Finlay hurdling perfectly, led over the first, obstacle. Towns drew level between the third and fourth, and led at the sevnth. lie won by 4 A feet. British hopes rose when three representatives qualified for the four hundred metres, generally without undue effort.

There were 95,000 people at the Stadium, another 50,000 watching the sports and 10.000 the swimming practice.

The final of the 1.500 metres was delayed a few minutes, presumably to allow Hitler to arrive in time to see the race between the world’s greatest milers. Cornes led from the start from the German Boettcher, Lovelock remaining comfortably behind. Cunningham then went, into the lead from Boettcher, Emy and Lovelock. Later, Emy headed Cornes and Lovelock with Beccali coming up. This was the order at the 1,200 metres. Lovelock sprinted three hundred metres from home, Cunningham and Beccali following him. The New Zealander entered the straight ten yards ahead Of Cunningham and striding on, won unpressed by five yards. Beccali was five yards behind the American crack.

RESULTS. 1500 metres, final: Lovelock, 227. S seconds, a world record, 1; Cunningham 228.2 seconds, breaking Bonthron’s old world record, 2: Beccali 229.2 seconds 3. Sanformani 230 seconds 4. Edwards 230.4 seconds 5; Cornes, 231.4 seconds 6. Four Hundred Metres: Quarter final: first heat. Roberts 1, Smallwood 2, Lanzi 3. Time 47.7 seconds. Second heat: Blazejezaki 1, Brown 2, Fritz 3. Time 48.2 secs. Third heat: Williams 1, Jnnan Anderson (Argentine) 2, Loaning 3. Time 48 secs. Fourth heat: Luvalle 1. Skawinski 2. Rampling 3. Time 47.6 secs. 110 Metres Hurdles, first semi-final: Towns (United States) 14.1 secs, a world record, 1; Lidman 14.5 secs, 2; Thornton 14.7 secs 3. Second semifinal: Finlay 14.5 secs 1: Pollard 14.6 secs 2; O’Connor 15 secs 3. Final: Towns 14.2 secs, equalling the standing world record, and creating an Olympic record 1: Finlay 14.4 secs 2; Pollard 14.4 secs 3. Also started: Lidman, Thornton, O’Connor. Hop-Step-and-Jump, final: Tajim. 16 metres, approximately 52 feet si,‘ inches, a world record 1: Harada 15.66 metres 2; Metcalfe 15.50 metres 3. Also started: Woellner 15.27 metres, Oshima 15.1 metres; Romero 15.08 metres.

Javelin: final, G. Stoeck (Germany), 71.84 metros, approximately 235 feet SJ inches, 1; Y. Nikkanen (Finland) 70.77, 2; K. Toivonen (Finland) 70.72, 3. Cycling: 1000 metres; Giles (New Zealand) defeated Gyorssy (Hungary), H. Collard (Belgium) defeated Gray (Australia). First Repercharge Heat: Gray defeated Clayton (South Africa) and Mazzini (Peru). C. M. Vanoyen (Germany) won the rapid pistol shooting, scoring a possible in the whole series. Lieutenant Hax (Germany) was second. Modern Pentathlon result: Lieutenant G Handrick (Germany) 1; Lieutenant Charles Leonard (United States) 2; Lieutenant Silvabo Abba i(ltaly) 3; Lieutenant S. Thofelt (Sweden) 4. This was the first occasion that Sweden was not victorious.

Polo: Eliminating match, Hungary defeated Germany 16/6. Hockey: Eliminating match: Holland defeated Switzerland 4/1. Football: England defeated China 2/0, after extra time.

Women's Foils: Fraulein Schacherelek (Hungary) six wins, Fraulein Mayer (Germany) five wins.

LOVELOCK INTERVIEWED.

(Received August. 7,2 p.m.) BERLIN, August G. The Associated Press correspondent reports: Dr. Porritt says: Lovelock ran so beautifully I expected an Olympic record, but he won so easily that I was not surprised it was also a. world record. This is New Zealand’s first victory at the Olympiad, and the second on any occasion that the Dominion has ever been placed. Dr. Porritt says: Lovelock decided only yesterday to run in the 15'90 metres instead of the- five thousand. He wanted to start in the five thousand, but the competition was so strong it was decided it was not worth risking both .events. Nevertheless, Dr. Porritt is of opin-

rm. despite the victory and world’s ei-oiil, Lovelock is still a better five

ihousand metres runner than a miler Lovelock', owing to his ipcdica studies, which he is continuing for an other two and a-lialf years in Lon don, may not run after the present season.

Dr. Porritt attributes the success to Bill Thomas, who trained Lovelock at Oxford. Lovelock's performance was equal to 244.4 mile. International experts pay a tribute

to the flawless display. Lovelock was smiling and cheerful after victory, and said: The incorrect starting line caused me to run three yards further than Beccali, but I did not mind, as I knew myself to be in the best possible condition, and I believe 1 was never litter. To-day’s race was easier than in the Princeton mile against Cunningham and Bonthron. I was nol surprised at the lime, in view of the class of the competitors. I don’t think I will over surpass to-day’s time. Cunningham said: 1 would like to have gone home an Olympic winner, but I can’t complain when I run 1500 metres in 228.2. Giles led most of the way in the cycling heat. He staved off a determined challenge in the straight, and won by half a length. Time 12.3

CAMERA DECIDES

(Received August 8. 3 p.m.) BERLIN, August 6.

Women’s Hurdles Final: Valla. (Italy) 1: Steuer (Germany) 2; Taylor (Canada) 3. All 11.7. Then followed Testoni (Italy). Braaketer (Holland), Eckert (Germany). The aid of the camera was necessary to decide the placings. Testoni was originally placed by the judges.

AUSTRALIANS DEFEATED.

Failing to repeat his own previous best. Metcalfe failed in the hop. step, and jump against the Japanese, whose superiority the Australians readily acknowledge. Shber physical speed and endurance enabled Tajima to add nine inches to Metcalfe’s world record. The Japanese landed almost flat-foot-ed. They seem impervious to strain, perhaps because weeks before training begins, they beat their heels against boards until they become so hard (hat apparently they could land on concrete without suffering. Metcalfe made a gallant effort with both heels, and one knee was badly jarred. Dickinson’s best effort of 14.48 was disappointing. Like many other competitors, he is finishing the day sore from endeavouring to maintain the distance set by the Japanese.

AMERICANS CRITICISED.

Received August 7. 2 p.m.) BERLIN, August G

“But for the ‘American black auxiliary tribes.' the United States would have made a pool' show at the Olympiad," declares the Nazi newspaper, “Angriff.” it adds: The United States has always been unbeatable since the modern Olympiads began, but has been nearly eclipsed in the first two days at. Berlin. German', men and women surpassed the Yankees in the throwing events. If it had not been for the negroes, the German, Long, would have won the long jump, Lanzi (Italy) the eight hundred metres, and Osendarp (Holland) the hundred metres. European athletes’ strength has increased incomparably. The Americans are not the wonderful athletes we thought, them —apart from Owens, Woodruff. Metcalfe and Johnson.

MAN-LIKE WOMEN

(Received August 7, 1.30 p.m.) BERLIN, August 6. Arising from the recent instance of sex changes, the International Olympic Committee is likely to institute a rule making medical examination before events compulsory. A lively discussion has arisen at the Olympiad, concerning some women competitors, extremely man-like in appearance. It is argued by some that their performances are beyond the powers of a normal woman. The possibility of abandoning the women’s events is even being considered. The controversy has been unceasing since the woman, Koubkova, changed her sex by a surgical operation, and is now a man engaged to a Polish girl.