OLYMPIC GAMES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 14 July 1924, Page 7

OLYMPIC GAMES.

SWIMMING RECORD BY CHARLTON. por'rjtt’s narrow escape. dn cable—press association—copyright Received Julv 14, 8.5 a.m. LONDON, July 13. The Australian Press Association’s Paris correspondent says it was sweltering Austialian-liKe summer weather in Paris for to-day's games. Winter (Hop, step and jump) and Duigan (second series of tne decathlon), were the only Australians competing. The Australians are scratching for the 400 metres relay. Winter, in t-ne second series,, early strucK strong opposition in the Argentinian Diuneto, whose first jump was 50ft. 7 l-16m., beating the Olympic cecord. Winter’s first jump was a great leap, but was not allowed, as he overstepped the board. The next jump was a splendid effort, measuring 49ft. 10in., and in the third he overstepped again, but his second jump qualified. Winter’s first jump in the final equalled the qualifying heat, but his second jump, which was well over 50ft., but was not counted, as he over-step-ped. Finally jumping carefully with great confidence, W inter left no doubt, liis take-off being inches on the right side of the line. This jump was "Winter’s last, and also the last of the event. Winter reecived an ovation' and was rushed by photographers and movie men. TJjp performance was the more remarkable, for -‘Winter’s second last jump severely bruised liis heels and necessitated removing his shoes for some minutes. Later Australia’s flag was hoisted for the first time, followed by “God Save the King.’’ There was no Australian anthem, but there was great enthusiasm, particularly among the Americans. Nurmi, the senastional performer, crowned all previous athletic achievements, paralj r sing a field of the world’s best distance runners in the ten thousand metres cross-country race. The fair-lmired superman won the race before the second man had returned to the stadium, making such a terrific pace that more than half the starters collapsed. Probably there was never a more sensational Olympic event run, despite the intense heat. Ritola arrived 30secs. later. After the third man, Johnson (American*,. had finished, the Spaniard dramatically collapsed, reentering the stadium a few seconds afterwards, followed by others staggering through the gate, it was a pitiful sjght to see delirious athletes rocking across the track, and eventually crashing to the ground. Scouts rushed to their assistance, and officials ran for medical assistance, winch was difficult to secure. One Frenchman heroically struggled over practically the whole stadium track, and when ten yards from the finish reeled from side to side iff a stupor, finally collapsing a few feet from the finish. Another Frenchman gallantly finished minus a shoe. Ail were carried from the field. These were the only stadium collapses. Others dropped on the road, and' several were removed to hospital. The holding of-this event and also the Marathon at this period of the year, when a heat wave is most probable, is strongly criticised as cruel. Only one of the" Britishers finished, and the other two collapsed on the roadside, where they were nicked up by peasants. The Swedish champion Vide collapsed before finishing* and was unconscious for half an hour. Several had not regained consciousness an hour afterwards. Dr. Skeet, a well-known Australian with the British team, treated several suffering athletes, and it is stated, probably saved the: life of the Spaniard. Dr. Sheet injected strychnine into several athletes. Following the draamtic conclusion of the ten thousand metres, it was decided not to hold the Marathon .until 5 o’clock to-morrow, when it will be cooler. Nurmi’s win to-day was his third victory at the meeting. He is certain to win the final in the three thousand metres to-morrow. Already no individual athlete has ever approached sucli an achievement. Helsingfors, hi’ home town, is arranging for a triumphal homecoming to the man who is regarded as supernatural. in the heats for the 400 metres team race the world’s record was broken three times, which is unique. Britain’s team, captained by Abraham, first won their heat in 42 seconds. Holland won time, which was a record of only a few seconds. tilL America’s team (Hussey, Murchisan, Leeoney and Clark) finished in 41 l-ssecs.. The final will be run on Sunday. Sunday’s tennis draw resulted: Williard meets the South African champion Raymond, and Bayley plays the Norwegian representative. The Australian featlierewight wrestler, Angele, in the second round, beat Scott, from Britain, on points. Angele was aggressive throughout. Duigan finished well down the list on Saturday. The final points are America, 194, * Finland 135, Britain 63i, Sweden 201, France 19£, Switzerland 11, Australia. 10, Argentine, South Africa and Canada 5, New Zealand 4, Norway 4, Denmark 3. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Received Julv 14, 10.20 a.m. PARIS, July 13. In the Olympic swimming contest Charlton beat the world’s record for 1500 metres, free style, his time being 21min 3-10 sec. The previous record was held by Arne Borg, 21min 35 3-10 sec, and in the fourth heat he regained his record by doing the distance in 21min 11 4-10 sec. At wrestling, eatch-as-catch-can, Angelo beat the Britisher Scott. Charlton’s record was made in the third heat. Hatfield (Britain) was second. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.. PARIS, July 13. In the wrestling contest, catch-as-eatch-can, leather-weights, Chideott (Canada) beat Angeio (Australia). — Reuter. In the 400 metres relay race, the American team, in their second round, heat, established another world’s record of 41 seconds. The .swimming commenced in a sweltering heat witn the 1500 metres free style event. The heat suited the Australians. In the first heat Christie got an eariy lead, but was unable to shake off Annison (England) and Smith (America). The former led in the last three laps, and won by ten yards. Christie was beaten by two feet for second place in the second heat. A. K. Borg, brother of Arne Borg, easily defeated Taylor (Britain). Charlton’s chief opposition in the third heat came from Hatfield, English champion, and Howell (American). Charlton touched first and immediately established a lead which increased to five yards at two hundred metres, which was covered in* 156 1-5 secs., and the 400 metres, where he was leading Howell by 20 yards in 329 2-5 secs. Swimimng with consummate ease, he continued to widen the gaj)r Hatfield meanwhile displacing Howell and finishing with a terrific sprint. Charlton won by 80 metres amid tremendous enthusiasm. The race was contested in a line of marked courses, to which the Australians objected, but the lines actually helped Chariton, as he usually has a tendency to veer from his course. Charlton stated that he swam easily.

He was making good time, and was absolutely undistressed. A\eismuller described it as a dandy performance. Borg laughingly remarked: ’‘The boy has not seen me swim yet. ’ —Aus.-N.Z. aCble Assn. Received July 14, 1.00 p.m. PARIS, July 13. At swimming Beaurepaire won the fifth heat in. *22min lvsec. The four hundred metres relay race filial resulted: America 1, Britain 2, Holland 3. Ten thousand metres walk.—Friegerio (Italy) 1, Goodwin (Britain) 2, Macv Master (South Africa) 3.—Reuter The Marathon resulted: Stenroos (Finland) 1, Bertini (Italy) 2, Demar (America) 3. Time, 9682 secs Sun Cables. Received July 14, 1.10 p.m. PARIS, July 13. lorritt had a narrow escape on Saturday night. In company with five fellow-university men, he was entering \ . when a s high-powered car charged into the midst of the group, knocking down and pinning an American and an Englishman beneath the car and seriously injuring them—Svdnev Sun Cables.