Women Athletics

Southland Times, Issue 23026, 21 October 1936, Page 14

Women Athletics

EXAMINATION IN FUTURE The International Amateur Athletic Federation, heretofore exclusively concerned with control of men’s track and field competition, has followed up an earlier decision assuming jurisdiction over women’s athletics by adopting “questions of a physical nature.” A paragraph dealing with the subject which secretary Bo Ekelund of Sweden so bluntly pointed out referred to “cases where women competitiors were believed to be men,” was adopted without discussion. Gingerly worded the paragraph read: “If a protest concerns questions of a physical nature, the organization responsible for carrying through the (track and field) meet shall arrange for a physical inspection made by a medical expert. The athlete must submit to the inspection as well as the decision taken on account thereof.”

The regulation was adopted under the section covering protests. It was specified further that “protests concerning matters which develop during a meeting” must be made not later than two hours after the meet is finished. The Federation will pass on all women’s track and field records and also decide subsequently just what events will make up the 1940 Olympic women’s programme. Proposals now are under consideration to add the 200 metres dash, broad jump and shot- put, which are standard women’s events in the United States.