LOVELOCK’S RUN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18087, 7 August 1936, Page 6

LOVELOCK’S RUN

OLYMPIAD SENSATION FIVE YARDS TO SPARE DR. PORRITT’S OPINION BETTER IN LONGER RACE

/Flee. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Aug. 7. 1.30 p.m.) BERLIN, Aug. 0. The Associated Press’ correspondent, at the Olympic Games, referring further to the 1500 metres run which the New Zealander, .1. E. Lovelock, won in world record time of l.min. 17.85ee., says the race was delayed for a tew minutes, presumably to allow Herr Hitler to arrive in time to see the contest between the world’s greatest, milers. .). Comes (Britain) led from the start from the German, Boettcher, Lovelock remaining comfortably behind. Glen ('miningham. (United States) then went into the lead from Boettcher, E. Ny (Sweden), and Lovelock. Later Ny headed Comes and Lovelock, with Beeeali (Italy) coming up. This was the order at the 1800 metres.

Lovelock sprinted 800 metres from home, Cunningham and Beeeali following him. The New Zealander entered the straight- 10 yards ahead of Cunningham and, striding on, won unpressed by five yards from Cunningham, with Beeeali five yards behind the American crack.

The New Zealand manager, Hr. l’orritt, said that- Lovelock ran so beautifully that an Olympic record was expected, but be won so easily that. Dr. Porrilt was surprised the time was also a world record. FIRST DOMINION VICTORY This is New Zealand’s first victory at an Olympiad and the second on any occasion iiiai the Dominion has ever been placed. l)r. Porriit says that Lovelock decided only yesterday to run in the B>oo metres instead of Ipite 5000 metres. He wanted to start in the 6600, Imt the competition was so strong that il was decided it was not worth risking both events. Nevertheless, Dr. I’ornU is of the opinion, despite the victory and the world’s record, that Lovelock is still a better 5000 metres runner than a miler.

Lovelock, owing to iris medical studies, which lie is continuing for another 2.} years in London, may not run after the present season. Dr. Porritt attributes the success of Lovelock largely to Mr. Bill Thomas, who trained Lovelock at Oxford.

Lovelock’s. performance was equal to 4min 4.4 see for the mile. International experts pay tribute to his flawless display. Lovelock was smiling cheerfully after the victory and said that an incorrect starting iiYie caused him to run three yards further than Beeeali, bathe did not mind as he knew he was in the best possible condition and believed he was never fitter. “To-day’s race was easier than the Princeton mile against Cunningham and Bonthron,’’ said Lovelock. “I was not surprised at the time in view of the class of competitors. I don’t think I will ever surpass to-day’s time.” COMMENT OF RUNNEII-UP Cunningham said he would like to have gone home an Olympic winner, but lie could not. complain when he had covered 1500 metres in 3min 48.Usee. The New Zealand cyclist Giles led most of the way iti his bent of the .1000 metres mid staved off a determined challenge in Hie straight and won by half a length. In the .semi-finals of the. 110 metres hurdles, the American, Towns, repeated his performance in America, where he recently returned 14.1 sec. Another American negro, Pollard, gave, D. Finlay a great race, the English captain only winning his semi-final on 11 is characteristic speedy run in. In the final Finlay, hurdling perfectly, led over the first obstacle. Towns drew level between the third and fourth and led at the seventh. He won by 4 5 ft. British hopes rose when three representatives qualified for the 400 metres, generally without undue effort.

NINETY THOUSAND SPECTATORS Ninety-five thousand people were at the stadium to-day. Another 50,000 were watching the sports, and 10,000 witnessed the swimming practice.

Failing to repeat his own previous best, the Australian, Metcalfe., failed in the hop, step and jump against the Japanese, whose superiority tho Australians readily acknowledge. Sheer physical speed and endurance enabled Tajima to add 9in. to Metcalfe’s world record.

Tho Japanese land almost flat-footed. They seem impervious to strain, perhaps because for weeks before their training begins, they beat their heels against boards, until they become so hard that apparently they could land on concrete without suffering. Metcalfe made a gallant effort with both Heels and one knee badly jarred.

.Dickinson’s best effort of 14.48 metres was disappointing. Hike many other competitors, lie is finishing the day son* from endeavouring to maintain tho distance set by the Japanese. Further progress results are : TRACK EVENTS

Women’s 80 metres hurdles.—Final : Signorina Valla (Italy), 1; Fraulein Steuer (Germany), 2: Miss Taylor (Canada), 3. Time, 11.7 see. .Then followed Signorina Testoni (Italy), Alias Braaketer (Holland), and Fraulein Eckert (Germany). The, aid of a camera, was necessary to decide the placings. (Signorina Testoni was originally placed by the judges. CHANGES OF SEX LIVELY CONTROVERSY TALK OF EXAMINATION (Reed. Aug. 2. hi p.m.) BERLIN, Aug. (k Arising from recent instances of sex changes, the International Olympic Committee is likely to institute a rule making medical examination before an event compulsory. A lively discussion has arisen at the Olympiad concerning some women competitors of extremely man like appearance. It is argued that some of their performances are beyond the powers of a normal woman. The possibility of abandoning women’s events is even being considered. The controversy has been unceasing since the woman athlete Koubkova changed her sox by a surgical operation, and is now a man engaged to a Polish girl.