OLYMPIC GAMES

Otago Witness, Issue 3673, 5 August 1924, Page 19

OLYMPIC GAMES

PRESENTATION OF MEDALS. PARIS, July 27. Five thousand persons attended the presentation of the Olympic medals. The United States received 45 winning medals, 28 seconds, and 27 thirds; Britain nine firsts and 11 seconds; Australia, 10 altogether; South Africa three; New Zealand and Ireland two each. THE CYCLING CONTESTS. PARIS, July 27. In the cycling contests Coppings was beaten in the second round, and Dempsey in the semi-finals. The final resulted : Miehard (E ranee)' 1, Meyer (Holland) 2, Cugnot (France) 3. The two thousand metres tandem sprint was won by the Frenchmen Cugnot and Chouri. No Australians competed. In the 50 kilometres sprint Willems, a Dutchman, beat Alden (England). Broadbent, the Australian, was leading when a tyre burst. In the SCOO metres consolation race Hansen (Denmark) beat Broadbent by half a wheel. ABRAHAMS BREAKS DOWN. LONDON, July 27. Abrahams, the Olympic sprinter, sent a message to the Huddersfield Sports Club, saying that he had broken down, and would be off the track for quite 18 months. THE NATIONAL CLASSIFICATION. PARIS, July 28. The general national classification qi the Olympic Games shows the United States, with 94 points; France second, With 64; Sweden third, with 44J ; Britain fourth, with 441 ; Italy, eighth, with 25J ; Holland ninth, with 19; Belgium tenth, with 17 J ; Australia twenty-first, with 3; Portugal twenty-second, with 2; South Africa twenty-third, with 1; and Egypt twenty-fifth, with f- point. This classification was drawn up by the French Olympic Committee. The medals, however, were awarded on entirely distinct points. In addition to the above figures, Finland has 14 first, 13 seconds, and 10 thirds; France 11 firsts, 15 seconds, 10 thirds; Britain, 9 firsts, 11 seconds, 11 thirds; Canada, 4 seconds and 1 third; Japan, 1 third; and New Zealand, 1 third. SUGGESTIONS TOR AN IMPROVEMENT. PARIS, July 29. The newspapers acknowledge,, that the Olympic Games were not a success, and the general management and errors of organisation are severely criticised. It appears to be generally agreed that the Games are too long drawn out. It is suggested that more severe tost qualifications should be set to competitors, with a view to eliminating all those who?' certified achievements are not truly up to the Olympic standard. The number of

competitors would thus be reduced to a quarter, which would obviate delays, and would ensure a superior quality of sport. A FINANCIAL LOSS. LONDON, July 28. The insurance companies will pay 2,000,000 frames for the loss on the Olympic Games. The receipts did not reach the estimate of 8,000,000 francs. A HISTORIC RACE. PARIS, July 18. Amidst a scene of tremendous enthusiasm, such as has seldom been seen even among demonstrative l’rench crowds, “Boy” Charlton (N.S.W.) was narrowly beaten into third place iri the 400 metres free style Olympic swimming race this afternoon. But ft. was in a titanic struggle of giants, when the first three men broke the Olympic record, and it was a defeat which only added fresh laurels to theyoung Australian. If it was a failure, it was a glorious failure, worthy of the highest traditions of Australian" sportsmanship. The stage was set at the new Stude Nautique des Tourelles. The race attracted unprecedented interest for the iswimming series. Despite the threatening clouds every seat was occupied an hour beforehand. Scarcely had the clamour which lollowed the entry of the “Old Glory ' m honour of America's win in the previous women’s relay race died down, when Charlton, Hatfield (Britain), Ake Borg (Sweden), Arne Borg (Sweden), and ■>. Weismuller (America) stepped on to tne concrete starting platform. They were immediately the cynosure of all eyes. While the chattering skullcapped French officials darted hither and thither adjusting preliminaries, Charlton, in a vivid blue flowered dressing gown, nonchalantly talked to Hatfield, Mr O G. Merrett (Australian team manager), and others. The crowd was on tip toe with expectation when someone’s hat blew into the pool. This relieved the tension. “Alio, alio,” rasped the loud-speaker, and silence followed. Then the starter (inhered his pistol. “Bang!” and' the five simultaneous splashes announced the St \rne Borg, swimming strongly, made the pace for the first 50 metres, followed closely by Charlton and Weismuller. Charlton was going easily, and let the others lead him half a length ahead. Weismuller raced neck and neck with Borg, and then forged ahead. He touched the 100 metres first, in lmin 4 l-ssec. He kept his advantage, and was strenuously encouraged by American cries of Come on, come on, Johnny.” Weismuller led down the bath the third time. Coming to the 200 mark Borg, with a supreme effort, touched the edge’first. Then came Weismuller, and then Charlton a length away. Progress time, 2min 23sec. Obviously Charlton was bolding a spurt in hand. He was calm amid i/he cheers of the crowd, who were now all

standing up waving sticks, (hats and umbrellas. There was a babel of yells of ail nationalities when Charlton was seen to be gaining slowly, gradually letting tnmself go. Amid a confused and unparalleled demonstration, the loud-speaker announcing the last law could not be heard. The leaders were almost together, the arms of the three darting splashes up the bath. In fast time Charlton was making ground at every stroke, overhauling the leaders. But he left his final super-spurt too late. While the Americans fairly kissed each other, Weismuller touched the finish, one second ahead of Arne Borg. Charlton was just behind. The other competitors were nowhere. Scarcely a length separated the leaders. Momentarily the crowd was hushed. It gasped at the wonderful finish, and then came an outburst of cheering. Charlton had left his spurt too late, misjudging his competitors, and he failed only because of that. Cooees signalled his striking performance. FRENCHMEN’S STRANGE ACTS. LONDON, July 22. Although the London Times is applauded for its outspoken comment on the unsportsmanlike scenes that marred tbs Olympic Games, many- enthusiasts who attended the games take a loss serious view of the occasional demonstrations. It is learned unofficially that, the Olympic Council does not subscribe to the idea that the Olympiads are dead. The council points out that the instances of unpleasantness were due to the excitable Latin temperament of the French crowds rather than to calculated animosity. It is admitted that the French crowds do not display the degree of impartiality usually found at Lords, or the Melbourne or Sydney cricket grounds. Frenchmen certainly do boo, hiss, and whistle, as well as indulge in concerted hand-clapping, if they dislike the judges’ decision or .the tactics of the competitors; but this partisanship, the council says, demonstrates national comradeship more than international antipathy. Certainly, there has never been any lack of friendliness among the competitors themselves. The French and other Latins are prone to what the Australians regard as flashness, such as turning to the applauding crowd, smiling broadly, and waving their hands ecstatically. The Latins are always doing something to earn themselves applause. They are inclined to overlook the performances of supermen like Nurmi, Abrahams, Charlton, and Weissmuller; yet they shriek with delight if one of their own mediocrities happens to win an easy heat. And it might be added, in passing, that the Frenchmen were extremely lucky in the draw for heats. L T nploasant incidents at Colombes were few and far between, the only one the Sun’s special representative recalls being when a French runner fell in the midst of a bunch of Americans, and a strong antiAmerican demonstration followed. The Australians found the Americans generous to a fault. They actually pointed out to Eve, during the diving championship, where he might improve his diving, a suggestion which was profitably adopted. They also offered to coach Duigan in the

pole vault upon learning that he was uncertain in that department. The British athletes also testify to the generosity and delightful sportsmanship of the Americans. Unpleasant scenes were more plentiful at the swimming baths at Tourrelles, particularly during the water polo, when the Australians became incensed because they found French crowds barracking for the Hungarians against the British. Several strongly protested, one remarking.: “There are a million British dead in France, but it would not be imagined that this was so, when listening to this hubbub.” This promptly silenced the Frenchmen.

Otherwise, all the demonstrations were due to French chagrin at the failure of their own heroes, all of whom are as greatly loved as Carpentier was. Even -the single Australian supporter forgot himself in the excitement following the teams’ race, and unfavourably contrasted the strength of the Australian and American swimming representation. This irritated the Australian swimmers, who were so disgusted that they formally dissociated themselves from the demonstrator. The Americans regarded the outburst with amusement. The extraordinary extent of French fickleness was proved on the last day, when they were so delighted with an American girl's diving that they honoured her by liberal and concerted hand-clapping. Yet, half an hour later, when the sole Frenchman was placed fifth in the men’s diving, they were so angry that they created an uproar, even when the Stars and Stripes were floating at the masthead. It is understood that on this, as well as another occasion when the American flag was treated discourte cusly, official regrets were expressed. Noisy scenes occurred at the boxing. There is general condemnation of the crowd’s action in applauding Brousse when he was disqualified after the Englishman, Malin, bad proved that he had been bitten on the chest. Even in the best regulated communities drawing room manners are seldom found at the ringside. The general view of sportsmen is that the more phlegmatic Dutch will manage the Amsterdam Games with a minimum of international animosity.