THE OLYMPIC GAMES

Southland Times, Issue 19293, 11 July 1924, Page 6

THE OLYMPIC GAMES

THE CONTESTS CONTINUED AMERICAN LEADING IN THE , AGGREGATE DISQUALIFICATIONS CAUSE ASTONISHMENT (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) PARIS, July 9. (Received July 11, 2 a.m.) The Olympic Games were continued to day in excellent weather, and in the presence of a large concourse of people. Results:— 200 METRES. The first semi-final of the 200 metres resulted thus: Scholz 1, Hill 2, Abrahams 3. Time, 21 4-ssec. Carr ran fourth, and did not qualify. Porritt was also eliminated. Second semi-final: Paddock 1, Liddell 2, Norton 3. Tim**, 21 4-ssec. -Final.— Scholz (America) 1 Paddock (America) 2 Liddell 3 After his previous successes Carr entered the arena for the first semi-final very confident, a contrast to his earlier nervousness. He ran brilliantly, and led the field for 100 metres, but he was outclassed, though he finished gallantly, Abrahams beating him for third place by inches. In the final, Hill, Norton, and Abrahams, followed the place winners. HURDLES 100 METRES. —Final.— Kinsey (America) 1 Atkinson (South Africa) .... 2 Petterson (Sweden) 3 Time, 15sec. The final was thrilling. Anderson (America), who was leading, fell at the second last hurdle. Atkinson (America), running a great race, closed on the leaders at 80 metres, but struck a hurdle and lost a yard. Even then he almost caught the winner, Kinsey (America) on ♦he tape. FENCING. —Final.— France 1 Italy 2 300-METRE STEEPLECHASE. —Final. — Ritola (Finland) ........ 1 Katz (Finland) 2 Boutenis 3 This was another triumph for Finland, Ritola winning by 50 metres with his compatriots second and fifth. INTERESTING HEATS. The heat for the 1500 metres provided interesting sport. Lowe (England! qualified, but Nurni (Finland) again astonished everyone by running in ordinary rubber tennis shoes and winning his heat in a very easy manner. He again consulted his stopwatch, timing the conclusion of each lap. England won the fifth heat of the 1500 metres. The final of the 2000 metres was also thrilling. Paddock led to 90 metres. There Scholz drew equal and “the flying Scotsman” Liddell made desperate efforts, all shooting the tape inches apart. Paddock hurled himself with a mighty leap, falling heavily and injuring his foot. Scholz obtained the judge’s verdict by inches. Abrahams lost several feet at the start and finished last, but was below his 100 yards form. DISQUALIFICATION CAUSES AMAZEMENT. In the walk Austen (Australia) was warned in the first lap by the French judge, who thought his gait doubtful. In the second lap the American judge ordered him off when he was lying second and going well. Austen stated that he had walked in races for fourteen years, and his gait had never been questioned. Austen had easily the best style. The crowd were amazed at his disqualification, which was the first of several. An uproar ensued, the crowd hooting and hissing fen- several minutes. The judges were repeatedly hissed when they were following the competitors. The climax was reached when Kuhnat (Austria) was disqualified when he was easily leading the field; but. the Appeal Committee decided that he should compete in the next round because he did not understand the English warning. Following disqualifications in the walk, the first heat was a burlesque. The winner. Goodwin of England, had a nerveracking experience, knowing that one of the judges was following him and appeared about to order him off. One Frenchman stopped twice, thinking he had finished, but was allowed to continue. The desirability of excluding the walk from the Olympic Games will be discussed at the International Athletic Federation. RESENTMENT INCREASES. Public resentment was renewed when it was announced that the second heat in the walk was postponed because the jury of judges had disagreed as to Kuhnat’s reinstatement. Austen, interviewed after he returned to his hotel, said he asked the American judge why he was disqualified, and the latter said: “You were off the ground when you walked away.” Austen states that he is confident he was walking correctly as the pace was slow. His companions point out that if an Austrian were allowed a re-walk because he misunderstood the warnings, Austen was also entitled to the same consideration. POINTS TO DATE. The points at the conclusion of the day were:— America .. 135 Finland 73 Britain 34 New Zealand 4 ACCOMMODATION FOR ATHLETES. Strong objection was taken by the British Olympic Committee to the accommodation for athletes watching the match events, only 1500 hundred seats being available for 5000 athletes, while half the pavilion was empty. The British athletes threatened to strike unless an immediate improvement was effected. The French Committee met and decided that an extra stand would be available to-morrow. Abrahams, in the course of an interview, said that the strenuous racing and mental strain, particularly when forced to wait an hour for the start of a race, was affecting him. CONGRATULATIONS. CABLED TO PORRITT. The following is the copy of a cable forwarded by Mr E. L. Macassey (President Otago Centre, N.Z.A.A.A.) on behalf of the amateur athletes of Otago and Southland to Mr A. E. Porritt:— “Porritt, N.Z. Olympido, Paris. Heartiest congratulations Otago Centre vnd affiliated clubs.”