OLYMPIC GAMES

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 6 October 1928, Page 6

OLYMPIC GAMES

DANISH PAPER’S COMMENT. SIDELIGHTS ON BIG EVENTS. In a Danish daily paper of August 1, received by a resident of Hawera, there are advices and comments which, in view of the happenings at the Olympic Games, will he. of interest to followers of athletic sports and to those in Hawera. specially. This paper contains many references to the Olympic Games and to other athletic happenings in the Old World. It- is somewhat significant that the critic remarks that all English victories over Americans were popular. A comment of interest is made- by the critic that ‘.‘the .New Zealand javelin thrower, Lay, is a- chap . to reckon with. He made .a- throw without a take-off of 60 metres at the training course at Amsterdam. The oublic think he . and . Pentilla are favoxiites. X/ay is a little mail, but very strongly built.” Referring to the part taken by Germany in the games., the paper says that “the leaders said it was a- case of the nation’s honour —the trainers said it was a case of sportsmanship. It was a strain on the. nerves of the competitors, and thev did not produce the best results. Some competitors got hurt, and this prevented having the relay race. THE HIGH JUMP.

In the high jump final, at 1.83 metres (6ft), 19 men cleared; in the semi-finals at 1.84, 15 men cleared; when put up to 1.88, eight cleared, and jumping off at 1.91 five cleared, King (U.S.A.) and Menard. (France) at the first try. At 1.94 King cleared at the first attempt and all the rest failed, giving King the championship. King asked for two metres (6ft 6Jin), and just missed clearing the height.. He jumps in Californian style-, and was easily the best. THE WONDERFUL. FINNS.

The first five kilos in the 10 kilo race were run in 15 5-10 sec, only eight competing and interest centred on Ritoia and Nurmi. “The latter does not -use liis o\yn watch,” said a critic, “he relied on Ritoia’s speed, which was quite sufficient for him and also suited him. The track was not too good. When they had been running 64 kilos Nurmi did not try to take the lead, but trailed Ritoia, Wide (Sweden) lying behind him. The Finns seemed to be out to see if 'Wide- could stand the trial, but he had to give in. The two Finns ‘then took lap about, the speed being tremendous, but having no effect on either. The public appeared to be in' an ecstasy as to what was going to happen. In the final spurt what did actually happen was this : Ritoia. held the lead until 260 metres before finish. Nurmi tried to pass' him, though the attempt missed. In the straight Nurmi tried again and now' was after the gold medal. The -pace was like that of the hundred metres and Ritoia was- unable to meet the final spurt. Nurmi got in his final kick, as was just like him, and Ritoia must give up when lie felt Nurmi passing him. He thought Nurmi could not stand the final effort at. the finish of the race, but Nurmi got in and the great race was over. Nurmi showed himself the Nurmi of old.”

The question was asked why Nurmi did not shake hands, even with those who were next to him, but it was.just the same as at the Games in Paris. “As soon as a race is over he takes no congratulations, arid will not let anyone take a sketch, a film or a photograph and before the applause lias died away he is in the shed. The applause seemed to concentrate on Ritoia, who lay down on the grass. It almost looked as though he had won the race. Nurmi s time created a new Olympic record, 30 min 18 8-10 see, hut his worlds record was 30min. 6 2-10 sec, The question was asked “Did Nurmi efface himself in the obstacle race, when he and Loukola, a fellow country man, ran together?” It was- commonly known that Loukola might wm and that Nurmi would not look for the gold medal so long as iiq outsider were nkclv to win. If this was so Nurmi must have been a great sport, and as a result the other Finn got the gold medal. Whiteman Smith, of South Africa, did the 110 metres hurdles in 14 - 2 -lUsec. He beat the world’s record the same day, but could not do- better than fifth the following day. He was considered the best, but got a bad start m the fil ln the world’s cycling championship for one kilometre, Willie Hansen, a Dane, was first and won the gold medal. Then followed Van Drakenstem Gray (Australia), Dangen (France), Aerts (Belgium), Einseulel (Germany). CANADIAN SPRINT CHAMPION.

Some interesting comments are made on the sprint champion, Williams, of Canada, who won the 100 and 200 metres. “Curiously enough,” says- the’ European paper, “Williams Avon liis greatest races Avi'ihout much training, which he hates to do. When the team landed at Amsterdam, the chief trainer prepared tp make his men train. As soon as Williams heard this he disappeared and could not bo located for some days. When he came hack ‘the trainer Ava,s very angry and suggested taking his nomination paper back, but after the race both were happy and went aivay arm-in-arm.”

Referring to the Tunney-Heeney fight it ivas related that not many took the result seriously for it ivas overshadowed by tbe Gaines and there was little discussion when the result came through. This- is in direct contrast to tlie feeling in New Zealand, but it is probable that the three athletic ei'cnts happening about ‘the same time—the Games (with Stan. Lay competing), the big fight, and the third Rugby test’in South Africa —divided up interest because of the presence of New Zealanders in each. It certainly ivas a tribute to the athletic proivess of the youth of the Dominion that the A' took such a prominent part in each of these big Avorld’s happenings.