OLYMPIC GAMES

Southland Times, Issue 21774, 1 August 1932, Page 7

OLYMPIC GAMES

OPENING CEREMONY GREEK ATHLETES HEAD PARADE 100,000 SPECTATORS (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 11.0 p.m.) Los Angeles, July 31. The special correspondent of the Australian Press Association at the Olympic Games states that the world s athletes, 2000 strong, marching under a brilliant sun to the strains of massed bands and bearing national banners, opened the Tenth Olympic Games before 100,000 spectators. In commemoration of the Grecian origin of the games Greece was accorded the honour of leading the lengthy parade. The Australians, headed by “Boy Charlton, who has considerably recovered from an attack of influenza, marched third in the line. They met with a tremendous ovation on entering the arena. Other nations followed the Australians in alphabetical order, the New Zealand contingent being led by the flag-bearer, Mr McDonald. There were one-man teams from China, Colombia, Uruguay and Egypt, while Japan, with 202 athletes, had the largest representation from abroad. Mr Taylor representing Australia on the International Olympic Committer:, was among the distinguished group in the arena when the Vice-President of the United States, Mr Charles Curtis, declared the games open. The Olympic ritual with a salute of ten guns, the lighting of the Olympic torch, the flagraising ceremony and the singing of the Olympic hymn by a chorus of 1200 voices followed, then 2000 doves were released from the centre of the arena. Mr Curtis’s opening speech occupied 27 words. He said: “In the name of the President of the United States I proclaim open the Olympic Games of Los Angeles, celebrating the Tenth Olympiad of the modern era.” R. G. Foubister (New Zealand) when cycling on a road course yesterday crashed over an embankment. His cycle was smashed, but he escaped injury. The New Zealand eight-oared crew have drawn a hard race for the opening of the rowing events on August 10 Tn the second heat they meet Canada, America and Germany. The eightoared events will be contested in two heats, the winners of each racing in the final. The six beaten crews will then row off and first and second will appear in the final. R. Pearce, the sculler, will row against scullers from America and Germany in the first heat of the singles on August 9.

To-morrow’s trials engage the attention of five Australians. In the 100 metres hurdles Golding meets Lord Burghley and the Italian Facelli. A. J. Elliot (New Zealand) in the 100 metres expects the greatest opposition from the German, Jonath. C. V. Evans (New Zealand) in the first heat of the 800 metres meets the American Genung, the Frenchman Keller and the Swiss P. Martin.

J. E. Lovelock (New Zealand), whose time of 3min 2 2-ssec for three-quart-ers of a mile has been recognized by the Olympic Committee as a world's amateur record, meets in the third heat of the 800 metres the Englishman Hampson and the Frenchman S. Martin. J. W. Savidan (New Zealand) in the 10,000 metre contest expects the greatest competition ultimately from the Pole, Kusciniski. Interviewed on the even of the games the manager of the Australian team said: “I see no reason to change mv original statement that Australia will win four championships. We enter the games determined to carry on the great traditions of amateurism. All the team members will play the game for the game’s sake.” Mr Rundle, manager of the New Zealand team, made the following statement: "The New Zealand team is taking its task seriously and all the members are keyed up for the great days ahead. The will to win is not lacking in our team.” FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP WEIGHT-LIFTING CONTEST. (Rec. 7.5 p.m.) Los Angeles, July 30. Rene Duverger (France) won the first championship at the Olympic Games on Saturday night in the lightweight division of the weight-lifting competition. He lifted 7151 b to beat Amsterday’s record of 7111 b. Hans Haas (Austria) was second. FINLAND INDIGNANT EXCLUSION OF NURMI. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Helsingfors, July 30. There is great indignation in Finland at the exclusion of Nurmi from the Olympic Games. Sporting circles, the Press and the public are unanimous in their demand for the withdrawal of the entire Finnish delegation from the Games. The Athletic Association, however, cabled its representatives at Los Angeles to make up their own minds.

The International Amateur Athletic Federation rejected Nurmi’s entry for the Olympic Games on what it considered good and sufficient grounds and closed the case.