OLYMPIC GAMES

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 6 August 1928, Page 4

OLYMPIC GAMES

RESULT OF TRACK EVENTS.

EMPIRE’S GOOD POSITION

NURMI BEATEN IN 5000 METRES

j.ticu 11 ush - by lilcetrio Telegrapu

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CVusualwJi Tress AssocmUuu.J

AMSTERDAM, Aug. 3

America had to wait almost to the last day of t«.e track events for victory. Then the powerfully built Rarbutti carried Old Glory to the' front in the 400 metres. It was a most thrilling race. Barbutti had drawn trie inside, starting apparently behind. He caught up on the German b torts and the Britisher Winkel, who were running nearest in the lanes. In the back straight he went on at a terrific pace, and entered the home straight level with Buchner and the Canadian Ball. There was a determined challenge by Winkel, who made up ground, and it seemed that Barbutti must fight out the finish with Winkel and Buchner, when Ball, spurting like a shot from a gun, flashed past* the Briton and German, and rapidly closed 'with Barbutti. The American, with clenched teeth, strained every nerve, and staved off the attack by an inch. He sprawled full length, exhausted. If Ball had made' bis effort a yard earlier it. would have meant a Canadian victory. The final of the 500 metres was another lengthy duel between human Ttitola and Nurmi led for the majority of the distance, the American Lennond hanging piluekily with the Swede, Wide, who was fourth. The Finns went ahead in the last lap. Wide overtook Lennond. Nurmi three times made an effort to* pass* Ritola, who beat off the challenge and finally sprinted, leaving Nurmi almost standing. He won by twenty yards. Ritola. thus avenged 2iis* defeat in the 10,000 metres on July 29, and reversed the result of (he Paris 5000 when Wide was alsothird. Ritoila shook Wide’'’, hand and ignored Nurmi as usual, indicating that, the ancient fued continues. Nurmi completely outran himself and lay down on the grass for several minutes. The track wonts, except the steeplechase and the Marathon and the 410 and 1600 metres relays, are now completed. Lowe is the only holder to retain his title. Findhind won 3. Britain 2, Canada 2, America 1, South Africa 1. America won five field events.

The Empire's successes on the track are surprising and gratifying in view <-f The expeobation of a probable, series of German and American victories.

The Americans attribute their failure to the climate and atmosphere not suiting the team, despite precaution in bringing their own food and water from America, but it is more likely that- the American system of srwerail 1 trials before selection ha** caused staleness. The Germans similarly are suffering, while A nglo-Cana.dians were content with single tests. R<*Wt of modern pentathlon. *IOOO metros >ro«s eonntrv. Elefkowwk i f'T’n.Vurl'i 1 l.ta.innpu (Finland') 2. Tiindim:iii (Sweden) 3.