U.S. Awarded Relay Oo Film Evidence

Northern Advocate, 11 August 1948, Page 5

U.S. Awarded Relay Oo Film Evidence

LONDON, Tue. (10.30 a.m.).—The United States team was declared winner of the 400 metres relay final at Wembley last Saturday after the international jury of appeal saw a slowmotion film of the race.

It was officially stated: “The jury, having seen the film and photographs of the 400 metres relay, is satisfied that an error was made.” Britain was awarded the race on the grounds that United States runners passed the baton at one point beyond the prescribed limit. The jury’s decision means that Britain loses its only Olympic athletic title and the Americans’ tally goes to 13 out of 33 events.

NO DOUBT ABOUT IT’ Two films of the relay were each screened three times for reporters today. They showed the race at running speed and appeared to confirm that the change-over was made within the limit line. The chairman of the Olympic Games Organising Committee (Lord Burghley) said: _ “There is no doubt about it. The Americans were inside their line. “We are only too happy to have the opportunity of putting the matter right.” Lord Burghley said he hoped that the ceremony for the winners of the 4CG metres relay would be held tomorrow evening, since the United States team would be leaving London on August 13. gone with medals However, the redistribution of the relay medals may be complicated because the Hungarians, who were placed third last Saturday, have returned home with their medals. Before the decision to reverse the result of the relay was announced the International Amateur Athletic Federation, meeting in London today, had approved a proposal to clarify the rule about relay races. The proposal was that a line should be drawn 10 metres each side of the starting line. The baton change-over zone would be the zone between the two lines. & Sex Certificates LONDON, Tue. (10 a.m.).—The International Amateur Athletic Federation congress approved, without discussion, the report of the women’s commission, which recommended that ?: medical certificate as to sex, issued two days before any contest, should accompany the entry of each athlete for the Olympic games and European championships.