OLYMPIC GAMES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 11 July 1924, Page 6

OLYMPIC GAMES.

AMERICA STILL LEADS. dl CA.hh3- i’EJBHB COryaiGHl PARIS.. July 9. Following disqualifications in the walk the first heat was a burlesque. The winner (.Goodwin, of England) had a nerve racicing experience, knowing one judge was ioilowmg him, and he appeared about to oicier him off. One i’ reneimian stooped twice, thinking lie had finished, out lm was allowed to continue. The desirability of excluding the walk from the Oivmpic Games will be discussed by the International Athletic .Federation. Public resentment was renewed when it was announced that the second heat in the walk had been postponed a jury oi judges disagreed as to Kuhnet’s reinstatement. The fifteen hundred metres heat provided interesting sport. Lowe (England) qualified, but Murmi again astonished everyone by running in ordinary rubber tennis shoes and winning his heat in a very easy manner. He again consulted a stop-watch, timing the conclusion of each lap. England won the fifth heat of the IbOO metres. The final of the 200 metres was also thrilling. Paddock led to 90 metres. There Scnolz drew equal, and the “Hying Scotsman,"’ Liddell, made desperate efforts, all shooting the tape inches apart. Paddock hurled himself with a :ttv leap, falling heavily and injur ing his foot. Scfiotz obtained the judges’ verdict .by inches. Abrahams lost several feet at the start, and finished last, but he was below his hundred yards form. The 3000 metres steeplechase was another triumph for Finland, llitola winning by 50 metres with compatriots second and fifth. The points at the conclusion of the day were: America 135, Finland 73, Britain 34. New Zealand 4. Strong objection was taken by the British Olympic Committee Lo the accommodation for athletes watching the match events. Only 1500 seats are available to! 5000 athletes, while half the pavilion is unfilled. The British athletes threatened to strike unless an immediate improvement was effected. The French Committee met and decided that an extra stand would be available to-morrow. Abrahams, interviewed, said that strenuous .racing and the mental strain, particularly - when forced to wait an hour for the start of a race, is affecting him. Austen, interviewed after lie returned to his hotel, said he asked the American judge Tfiby he was, disqualified. He said: “Von were off the ground when you walked away.” Austen states he is confident he was walking correctly, as the pace was slow. His companions point out that if an Austrian was allowed to re-walk because he misunderstood warnings Austen was also entitled to re-walk.