PROGRESS OF OLYMPICS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 6 August 1928, Page 5

PROGRESS OF OLYMPICS

RITOLA DEFEATS NURMI TWO HUMAN MACHINES United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright Australian Press Association AMSTEMUM, 3rd August. America had to wait almost until the last day of the track events at the Olympic Games for victory in them, the powerfully-built Barbutti carrying the "Old Glory" to the front in the 400 metres. It was a most thrilling race. Barbutti, who had drawn the inside positron, started apparently behind, but caught up the German, Storz, and the Britisher, Rinkel, running in the nearest lanes, in the back straight. He went on at a terrific pace, and entered the home straight level with Buchner and the Canadian, Ball. A determined challenge by Rinkel made up ground. It seemed that Barbutti would fight out the finish with Rinkel and Buchner, when Ball, spurting like ii shot from a gun, Hashed past the Briton and the German and rapidly closed on Barbutti. The American clenched his teeth. and strained every nerve to stave off the attack by an inch, and at the finish he sprawled at full length exhausted. If Ball had made his effort a yard earlier it would have bean a Canadian victory.

The final of the 5000 metres was another lengthy duel between human machines. Ritola and Nurmi led' over the greater part of the distance, the American, Lermond, hanging on pluekily, with the Swede, Wide, fourth. The Finns went ahead in the last lap, and Wide overtook Lermond. Nurmi made three efforts to pass Ritola; who beat off each challenge and finally sprinted, leaving Nurmi' almost standing. Ritola won by twenty yards, and thus avenged his defeat in the 10,000 metres on the first day and reversed the of the 5000 metres at Paris, when Wide' was also third. Ritola shook Wide’3 hand, hut ignored Nunni as usual, indieating that the ancient feud continues. Nurmi completely outran himself and lay down on the grass for several minutes. . The track events, except the steeplechase, the marathon, and the 400 and 1000 metres, relays, are now completed. D. G. A. Lowe j/Great Britain) is the only holder to retain a title. In the track section Finland has won three; Britain two, Canada two, America one, and South Africa one. America has won five field events.

The British Empire’s successes on the' track are surprising as well as gratifying in view of the expectation of a probable series of German and American victories, judged before the Olympiad performances. The Americans attribute their failure to the climate, the atmosphere not suiting the team, despite the precaution of bringing their own food and water from America. But it is more likely that the American system of several trials before the selection caused staleness, the Germans similarly suffering, while the Anglo-Canadians were content with single tests. ■

RESULTS IN DETAIL MODERN PENTATHLON Four Thousand Metres Cross Country. Elefkowski (Poland) 1 Lamppit (Finland) 2 Lindmann (Sweden) ........ 3 FINAL OF DECATHLON Yrjoela (Finland) 1 Doherty > 2 Stewart 3 Churchill 4 All from the United States. Janisson (Sweden) was next. No Briton completed the series. PENTATHLON Tliofclt (Sweden) 1 Lindham (Sweden) 2 Khal (Germany) ................ 3 3000 METRES STEEPLECHASE (Final) - Loukala 1 Nurmi ••••• “ Anderson ■••••, “ . All Finland, won by 65 yards in 9min 24 4-ssecs, an Olympic record.