ATHLETICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3673, 5 August 1924, Page 49

ATHLETICS.

By

Amateur.

FIXTURES. August 9.—One-mile Handicap (interval of football match). August 16.—New Zealand Cross Country Championship (Wellington). October 4.—Harrier Sports Meeting. The track and field section of the Olympic Games has been completed within the Colombo Stadium at Paris with a majority of points scored by the U.S.A. With persistent regularity our American cousins top the lists every time. And this is not to be wondered at for many reasons. Firstly, they have the men and the money. Then their organisatio is wonderful in its detail and thoroughness. Again, in the U.S.A., track and field athletics are a national institution well nigh if not fully equal in importance to baseball. In every city or town there are one or more stadiums with the best of cinder tracks and the latest athletic paraphernalia. And the athlete is caught young - and coached by highly paid experts every time, and all the time, from school to academy and academy to university or ciub. And he is made to specialise in one branch of sport, and but one department of that branch. There is no football to-day, track athletics to-morrow, rowing the next day, with football to follow, as obtains here and in other portions of the Empire. And we have practically no public support, no cinder tracks, no grounds exclusively set apart for athletics, few coaches, and not too much money or enthusiasm. Finland came second in the point score, this time mainly due to her distance runners. The field game men, apart from Myrra, did not do quite as well as expected. The outstanding feature of the games has been the running of the amazing Paavo Nurmi — that remarkable distance runner who. watch in hand, annihilates records according to time-table. And he has been wonderfully well backed up by Willie Ritola. On this occasion the British Olj-mpic Association outdid all previous efforts in the way of combing out promising talent and then coaching same for the fray. From results to hand no star of any magnitude was unearthed because the British point scorers were almost entirely men who have been on path and field for some time —- mainly past and present members of the Oxford and Cambridge University Clubs. From the results it would appear that Great Britain and U.S.A. share sprinting honours. Great Britain .excels in the middle distances, and the Finns in the long distances, whilst U.S.A. is easily first in hisand broad jumping, vaulting, and some of the field games. I need not refer to the winners and place-getters, as their names appear elsewhere, but one wonders what has happened to men voted as almost sure winners. A notable case is that of Charles Hoff, tb great Norwegian pole-vaulter and record holder. And w - hat. of the men of the Irish Free State ! Time was when Ireland would have been very much in the picture. And Paddock is not the Paddock of recent times, whilst the evergreen Joie Ray is out of the picture. Of the teams representing the outlying 'dominions, South Africa has, perhaps, done best, although even better results were expected from the Springboks. Canada, Australia, and New Zealand (the last-named with bur. one man, A. E. Porritt) come next, whilst India and Ireland have not scored. The following is a complete list of the athletics and field games at the Eighth Olympiad : 100 METRES. In the first round heats of the 100 metres E. W. Carr (Australia) ran second to H. M. Abrahams (Great Britain), w - hilst A. E. Porritt (New Zealand) also finished second in his heat. In the second round Oarr again finished second in his heat—to J. V. Scholz, of the N ew York A.C. Porritt also finished second —to C. Bowman, of the Newark A.C. It was cabled from Baris on Saturday that Carr’s ankle trouble (it was caused through an accident on the football field) was again in evidence. “It was believed that Carr had broken down in both legs, and it was thought that he would lie unable to run; but, after consultation with doctors. he stated definitely that he would run in bandages. The doctors stated that several days rest were needed.. The genei’al opinion is that the trouble is the result of vigorous training on hard tracks.” Nevertheless Carr started and was beaten. Other second round heat winners included IT. M. Abrahams (Great Britain). C. W. Paddock (U.S.A.), C. 11. Coaffee (Canada). George B. Hester (U.S.A.), and W. P. Nicol (Great Britain). 4CO METRES HURDLES. Dr R. J. Homier (Australia) w r as eliminated in his heat of the 400 metres hurdles —he finished in fourth place. The 409 metres finalists include J. C. Taylor (New York A.C., U.S.A.). Charles R, Brookins (U. of lowa, U.S.A.), George Andre (France). THROWING THE JAVELIN. Won by J. Myyra (Finland) at 62.86 metres. Myyra Ixoll at Antwerp in 1920 at 65.78 metres, and is the holder of the world’s record at 66.10 metres. 800 METRES. M. V. Boyd (Vic.), R. D. Norman (N.S.W.), and J. Newman (Vic.) represented Australia in the 800 metres, but were unplaced in their heats. The final was run yesterday, and the two Achilles A.C. (Great Britain) runners, D. G. A. Lowe and H. B. Stallard, also C. W. Oldfield (South Africa), were given chances, according to cable news. 10,000 METRES. Won by Win. Ritola (Finland) in 30min .33 l-ssec, a world’s record, and beating bis own figures of 30min 35sec, established at Helsingfors last May. Vide (Sweden) finished second, and Berg- (Finland) third. The semi-finals of the 100 metres resulted : Heat J-.—J. V. Scholz (U.S.A.) 1, A. E. Porritt (New Zealand) 2, Loren Murchison (1.5. A.) 3 Time, 10 4-ssec Heat 2. IT. M. Abrahams (Great Britain) I, C. W. Paddock (U.S.A.) 2, Bowman (U.S.A.) 3. Final. If M. Abrahams (Great Britain) 1, J. V. Scholz (US.A.) 2, A. E. Porritt (New Zealand) 3. . Time, 10 3-ssec, which equals the Olympic record. The final of the 400 metres hurdles _was won by J. C. Taylor, of the New York A.C. IL .S.A.), in 52 2 ssec, an Olympic

record. Vilen (Finland) was second, and Riley (U.S.A.) third. RUNNING BROAD JUMP (PENTATHLON). Won by li. Le Gendre, of the Newark A.C. (U.S.A.), at 25ft 6in—a world’s record RUNNING HIGH JUMP. Won by IT. Osborne, of the Illinois A.C. (U.S.A.), at- 6ft 6in—an Olympic record. Le Roy Brown (U.S.A.) was second, and P. Lewden (France) third. THE PENTATHLON. E. Lettronen (Finland) 1 • Somfay (Hungary) 2 Robert Le Genare (U.S.A.) 3 R. J. Honner (Australia) competed in the running broad jump of the Pentathlon, but could only manage 21ft 6in, Le Gendre, of the Newark A.C., winning at 25ft 6in —a world’s record. 1). V. Duigan (Australia) finished in eleventh place. 800 METRES. Final.—D. G. A. Lowe (Great Britain), 1; Martin (Switzerland), 2; S. Enek (U.S.A.), 3; 11. B. Stallard (Great Britain). 4; Richardson (U.S.A.), 5; R. E. Dodge (U.S.A.), 6. Stallard led until the final straight, when Lowe, of Cambridge University, went to the front and w-on by a yard in lmin 52 2-sscc. 200 METRES. First Round. —Fleat 1: C. W. Paddock (U.S.A.), 1; \\ . P. Nichol (Great Britain), 2. Heat 2: E. W. Carr (Australia), 1; E. FI. Liddell (G reat Britain). 2. Won easily in 22 3-sseu Heat 3: J. V. Scholz (U.S.A.), 1; C. H. Coaffee (Canada). 2. Heat 4: FI. M. Abrahams (Great Britain), 1: J- K. Norton (U.S.A.), 2. Heat 5: A. E. Porritt (New Zealand), 1; Andre Mourlon (France), 2. Heat 6: G. L. Hill (U.S.A.), 1 ; JJ. P. Kinsman (South Africa). R. D. Norman (Australia) qualified for the second round, but withdrew. Serni-finals.—Heat 1: J. V. Scholz (U.S.A.), 1; G. L. Hill (U.S.A.), 2; H. M. Abrahams (Great Britain). 3; E. W. Carr (Australia). 4 ; and A. E. Porritt (New Zealand), 5. Time, 21 4-ssec. Heal 2: C. W. Paddock (U.S.A.), 1; E. H. Liddell (Great Britain), 2; J. K. Norton (U.S.A.), 3. Time, 21 4-ssec. Final.— J. V. Scholz, 1; C. W. Paddock, 2; Eric H. Liddell, 3 ; G. L. ITill, 4; J. K. Norton, 5• H. M. Abrahams, 6. Won by inches. Time, 21 3-ssec. Paddock was in front 30 yards from the tape, but, despite his spectacular leap at the finish, was just beaten. PUTTING 16LB SHOT. Clarence Houser (U.S.A.), 49ft 2in 1 Glen Hartranft- (U.S.A.) 2 Ralph Hills (U.S.A.) 3 RUNNING BROAD JUMP. De Hart Hubbard (U.S.A'.), 24ft 6in ... 1 E. O. Gourdin (U.S.A.) 2 S. Hansen (Norway) 3 110 METRES HURDLES. Final.—D. Kinsey (U.S.A.) 1, S. J. M. Atkinson (South ' Africa) 2. Peterson (Sweden) 3. C. Christiernsson (Sweden) 4, Karl VV. Anderson (U.S.A.) 5; Guthrie (U.S.A.), disqualified. In a great finish Kinsey just won in 15sec 1500 METRES. Final.—Paavo Nurmi (Finland) 1. Schare (Switzerland) 2, 11. B. Stallard (Great Britain) 3, D. G. A- Lowe (Great Britain) 4, Ray B. Buker (U.S.A.) 5. L. ITahn (U.S.A.) 6. Stallard fell unconscious at the finish. Time, 3min 53 3-ssec —an Olympic record. Nurmi holds the world’s record at 3min 52 3-ssec, established last June 18 at Helsingfors. M V. Boyd (Australia) finished twelfth in his heat. J. IT. Newman (Australia) also competed, the cable reporting that he, like Boyd, was outclassed. Amother message reports that Newman’s leg gave way when no was going well. 3000 METRES STEEPLECHASE. Final.—Wm. Ritola (Finland) 1, Katz (Finland) 2, F. Bontemps (France) 3, Marvin Rick (U.S.A.) 3, E. Eby (U.S.A.) 5, S. A. Montague (Great Britain) 6. Time, 9min 33 3-ssec —a record. 10,000 METRES WALK. Heat I.—G. R. Goodwin (Great Britain) 1, D. Pavesi (Italy) 2, Hinkle (U.S.A.) 3. E. E. Austen (Australia) was disqualified in the second lap, whilst Kuhnet (Austria) was later on disqualified when in tbe lead. The appeal jury upheld a protest by Kuhnet that he did not understand the warning given him (in English), and he was given permission to start in heat No. 2, whereupon the judges declined t-o act, and the heat was postponed. A new set of judges acted for the second heat. There were again numerous disqualifications, including Kuhnet (Austria). Ugn Frigerio (Italy) w-on easily. Final.—Ugo Frigerio (Italy) 1, G. R. Goodwin (Great Britain) 2, C. C. M’Master (South Africa) 3. Time, 47min 49see. 400 METRES. Semi-finals.—Heat. 1 : H. M. Fitch. 1; G. M. Butler. 2; Johnson, 3. Time. 47 4-ssec —a world's record. Heat 2: E. H. Liddell, 1; J. Imbach, 2 ; J. C. Taylor, 3. Final. Eric IT. Liddell (Great Britain’) 1 H. M. Fitch (U.S.A.) ... .' 2 G. M .Butler (Great Britain) 3 Johnson (Canada) 4 J. C. Taylor (U.S.A.) 5 J. Imbaoh (Switzerland) 6 Won by three yards. Time 47 3-ssec — a world’s record. Imbach fell when entering the final straight, E. W. Carr (Australia) did not compete. R. D. Norman (Australia) qualified for the second round, but failed to reach the semifinals. R. J. Honner (Australia) and C. J. Lane (Australia) each ran third in his heat, and thus failed to qualify for the next round. Lane tripped and fell when in the lead. He was only just beaten for second place. In his heat J. Imfca (Switzerland) won in 48sec —a world’s record. L. B. B. Betts (South Africa) won his heat in 49 4-ssec. Other heat winners incls-i G. G. Dunslan (South Africa), C. W. Oldfield (South Africa), Eric Liddell (Great Britain), Guy hi. Butler (Great Britain), and the Americans, Robertson. Taylor, and Fitch. In the semi-finals Fitch (U.S. won his heat by inches from Butler (Great Britain) in 47 4-ssec, thus beating Imbach’ - figures of the previous day. H. M. Fitch is a member of the Chicago A.A., and is an American championship holder. 5000 METRES Final. —Paavo Nurmi (Finland), 1 ; Wm. Ritola (Finland), 2; E. Vide (Sweden), 3; J. W. Romig (U.S.A.), 4; Sepella (Finland), S:C. T. Clibbon (Great Britain), 6. Time, l4min 31 l-ssec —a world’s record. There was an interval of only 45min between the finals of the 1500 and 51L metre events.

POLE VAULT. L. Barnes (U.S.A.), 13ft sin, I ; Graham' (U.S.A.), 2; J. K. Brookes (U.S.A.), 3. Barnes and Graham tied, Barnes winning the vault off. Barnes is a student of Hollywood High School, Los Angeles. THROWING THE 161 b HAMMER. F. D. Tootell (U.S.A.). 1; M. J. M’Grath (U.S.A.), 2; M. C. Nokes (Great Britain), 3. Winner’s throw 53,275 metres (174 ft 6in). THE DECATHLON. Harold M. Osborne (Illiinois A.C., U.S.A.), 7719 points 1 J. K. Norton (U.S.A.) 2 Kleinburg (U.S.A.) 3 On the first day of the Decathlon events Denis V. Duigan (Australia) was second in his heat of the 100 metres, his time being II 4-ssec. In the running broad jump he cleared 6.03 metres, and he put the 161 b shot 9.735 metres. D. V. Duigan Australia) finished well down the list. RUNNING HOP, STEP. AND JUMP. A. W. Winter (Australia). slft ljjm 1 Brunito (Argentine), 50ft 7 l-16in ... 2 V. Tuulos (Finland) 5 Winter’s jumps were: A foul (over 50ft), 49ft. lOin, a foul (about 52ft), 49ft lOin, a foul (over 50ft), and 51ft lain with his final jump. The winning jump is a world’s record. 10.000 METRES ACROSS COUNTRY Poova Nurmi (Finland) 1 William Ritola (Finland) 2 K. El Johnson (U.S.A.) 3 Ernest Harper (Great Britain) 4 Won by 500 metres in 32min 54 4-ssec. Many, including Vide, the Swedish chains pion, collapsed on the journey owing to the great heat, and some had to be taken to hospital. THE MARATHON RACE (26 miles 385 yards). A. Stenroos (Finland) li Bertini (Italy) 2 Clarence De Mar (U.S.A.) 3 Halonen (Finland) 4 Ferris (Great Britain) 5 Time, 2hr 41min 22sec. Won easily. 400 METRES RELAY. (Teams of four men). Final—U.S.A., 1; Great Britain. 2; Holland, 3; Hungary, 4: France, 5. Time, 41sec —a world’s record. The winning team comprised: Loren Murchison, Francis Hussey, J. A. Le Coney, and L. Clarke. 1600 METRES RELAY (Teams of four men). Final —U.S.A., 1; Sweden, 2; Great Britain, 3. Time, 3min 16sec —a world’s reCol ' " THROWING THE DISCUS. Clarence (Bud) Houser (U.S.A.), 151 ft 4 9-10 i Olympic record ... 1 Nitiymaa (Finland) 2 Thomas Lieb (U.S.A.) 3 3000 METRES TEAM RACE. The placed men were : Paavo Nurmi (Finland, 1; William Ritola (Finland), 2; B. M‘Donald (Britain), 3. Time, 3min 52sec—< ,an Olympic record.