OLYMPIC GAMES

Southland Times, Issue 19291, 9 July 1924, Page 5

OLYMPIC GAMES

PROGRESS OF TIIE CONTESTS. PORRITTS GOOD SHOWING. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) PARIS, July 7. There was glorious weather to-day, and a large attendance. In the 100 Metres Race the first semifinal resulted: Scholz (Amecira) 1, Porritt (New Zealand) 2, Murchison (America) 3. Time, 10 4-ssec. Porritt got away last, and for a time appeared to have no chance of being placed, but by a magnificent finishing effort he almost caught Scholz on the tape. The second semi-final lesulted: Abrahams (Britain i 1. Paddock (America) 2, Bowman (America) 3. Time. 10 3-ssec. Carr ran a brilliant race. Flashing out from the start, he led the field for 10yds. The others then closed, and in a thrilling race Carr was beaten for third place by inches only. The first three in each of the semi-finals will compete in the final. The Cycling 1000 Metres Race was won by Dempsey (Australia). The French champion (Michard) did not start, but all the other cracks competed. Coppins and Broadbent (Australians) won their heats, but they were beaten in the semi-finals. Charlton was unplaced in the trial 1500 metres swim covered in 21min, wheih beats Hodgson's Olympic record of 22min, and is only lOsec slower than Borg’s world’s record. The 400 Metres Hurdles resulted: Taylor (America) 1, Vilen (Finland) 2, Riley (America) 3. Time, 52 3-ssec—a world’s record. Brookins (America) finished second, but was disqualified for trailing his leg around a hurdle. In the 800 Metres Race the first semifinal resulted: Stallard (Britain) 1, Richardson (America) 2, Martin (Switzerland) 3. The second semi-final resulted: Lowe (Britain) 1, Houghton (America; 2, Watters (America) 3. The third semi-final resulted: Dodge (America) 1, Erck (America) 2, Hoff (Norway) 3. The High Jump resulted: Osborne (America) 1, Brown (America) 2, Lewden (France) 3. The winner jumped 78in. The- Long Jump was won by Legendre (/. <an Pentathlon, 1 , who won his heat w. . ..mp of 306;n—a world’s record. At Polo, Britain beat Spain by 10 goals to 3. At rhe close of to-day’s events the I':. : States were leading with 54 points, N( ’.land being seventh with 4 points. )0 Metres, final: Abrahams (England) 1 ' z (America) 2, Porrit (New ZeaE Time, 10 3 ssecs. Th.- < rowd was wildly excited over the recur; breaking events, and joined in the weirdest national cries, creating a deafening!

din. The thousands of Americans who predominated were particularly demonstrative when Taylor and Legendre established two records within five minutes. Legendre was not originally included in America’s long jump team. SENSATION OF THE DAY. PORRITTS GOOD SHOWING. INSPIRING SCENE IN STADIUM. PARIS, July 7. (Received July 8, 8.55 p.m.) The race for the 100 metres was the sensation of the day. Abrahams’ victory is the first success an Englishman has ever gained in that sprint at the Olympic Games. Abrahams equalled the world’s record. Abrahams was slightly behind Porritt and Scholz in the first half of the final, but a super flash sprint enabled him to overhaul them and come away at •about eighty metres and win by four feet. He received an immense demonstration from all nations in which the Americans were conspicuous. It lasted ten minutes. When the Union Jack was hoisted the National Anthem was sung, the whole assemblage standing. Bowman was fourth, Paddock fifth, and Murchison sixth. All in the final were English-speaking. Porritt made a perfect start, but was badly placed to sixty metres, where he clashed up even with the field and never let them go. He made a beautiful finish, being only inches behind Scholz. Porritt said that he never felt better. “Sunday’s racing,” he added, “sharpened me up.” The general opinion is that Carr did excellently, but was not quite the class of those in the final. The games were long drawn out and the events were not finished until long after 8 o’clock. Athletes complain that they are compelled to reman in the field too long awaiting their events. Zettronen (Finland) won the Pentathlon, Sonfay (Hungary) being second, and Zegemore (United States) third.