OLYMPIC GAMES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 205, 28 July 1928, Page 1 (Supplement)

OLYMPIC GAMES.

PREPARATIONS IN AMSTERDAM. CITY A BLAZE OF COLOUR. (United Service.) Received July 28, 2.0 p.m. AMSTERDAM, July 27. In preparation for tlie eve of the opening of the Olympic Games, when there will be a march past of two thousand of the world’s champions in many fields of sport, Amsterdam is a blaze of colour, and the flags of all the competing nations are flying above the quaint, old-time squares, or hanging from tlie windows of ancient, towering buildings. Narrow streets and avenues are brilliant with bunting. Everywhere tlie Olympic flag of blue, white and orange has the place of honour. Many of the 347 bridges spanning the canals are decorated with evergreens, with flagpoles flouting the Olympic colours, while avenues of lime trees bordering tho canals are festooned with electric lights in preparation for great illuminations.

RACE-S TO-MORROW. ATHLETES REST. (Australian Press Association.) Received July 28, 3.5 p.m. AMSTERDAM, July 27. The cyclists’ test race was not held owing to a wet track. It is being held next week. Tho athletes spent an easy day in view of Sunday’s races, in the draw for which they have had mixed luck. Carlton is in tlie eleventh heat of 100 metres, and is opposed by five who are not known, but Australia’s 800 metres runners have each drawn particularly hot opposition. Whyte, who is in the second heat, meets the world’s record holder, Peltzer, while Ftewart, who is in the fifth heat, opposes the American, Hahn, and the German, Englehardt. Many expect the 800 metres to provide the greatest race of the games. The first two in each heat of the 100 metres qualify for the semi-finals, and the first three in tlie 800. Porritt, the New Zealander, competes in the thirteenth heat of the 100 metres. Watson, assuming that lie is able to start in the 400 metres hurdles, meets the Britisher, Livingstone, and Learmontli, tho Frenchman. Tlie heavy slfowers to-day should greatly improve tho track for Sunday. Carlton is confident of being fit on tho day of the race.