BLUNDERS AT OLYMPIA.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2047, 6 September 1920, Page 7

BLUNDERS AT OLYMPIA.

INEFFICIENT OFFICIALS. PARTISAN SPECTATORS. By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright. (A. &. N.Z.) LONDON, Sept. 3. The Australian and New Zealand Press representative at the Olympic Games states that there has been much adverse criticism of the management blunders, chiefly due to ini experience in dealing with a big complicated organisation . and inability to cope with difficulties inevitably arising. Some judges, starters, and other officials were amateurish and inefficient. The starter in the swimming events was deposed owing to so many false starts. The Belgian spectators were violently partisan, and especially antagonistic towards the British. Wildly enthusiastic demonstrations followed every Belgian success, and hooting sometimes greeted the conquerors Belgian competitors. There was * a notable absence of sporting spirit among the competitors from several nations, but the clean, generous sportsmanlike spirit of the Swedes and Finns impressed one. In respect of Australia's failure, it was stated that Australia should follow America’s example by sending a larger number of competitiors and giving them longer training on the scene. The Australian swimmers found the water very cold, and were unable to strike form. MEETING IN ENGLAND. BRITISH EMPIRE v. AMERICA. (A. & N.Z.) LONDON, Sept, I, The largest attendance on record at an athletic sports meeting in England witnessed 10 events at Queen’s Club between American competitors in the Olympic Games and a British Empire team, consisting of Olympic competitors and university athletes, Davidson and H. E. Wilson (New Zealand), Ken T. Hughes (Victoria), and E. V. Dunbar (Queensland) participated. Each side won live events, the Americans taking the broad jump, 440 yds hurdles, and the three relay races of four miles, two miles, and 440 yds respectively. The British representatives won the high jump, the one mile, and two miles relays ami the half-mile relay, in which Davidson finished first by six yards. Thompson, the Canadian champion, won the 120 yards hurdles in 14 4-ssec, creating a world’s record on a grass track. SOME GREAT RACING. DAVIDSON DOES WELL. Reuter’s Telegrams. (Rrc. Sept. 6, 8.30) LONDON, Sept. 4. The withdrawals from the athletic teams at the last moment included the American Paddock, owing to illness, and A. G. Hill, the British Olympic representative, who was disabled. W. W. Hunt, of Australia, was on the programme, but was replaced by the Royal Air Force champion, Sergeant-Major Mawby. Costerlaak, of South Africa, was pitted against Kirkscy, of America, in the opening stage of the half-mile relay race. The South African led throughout; —securing an advantage which all the other Americans vainly endeavoured to destroy. The other Englishmen w T cre Butler and Mawby, and the New Zealander, G. Davidson. Davidson shot home six yards ahead. Thompson won the 120 yards hurdles by one and a-half yards. 'Hie New Zealander, Wilson, did not compete. Rudd was first in the two miles relay race, the time in which was 7mih 53dsec. This was a great race. Mountain, of F'ngland, gave Rudd the baton some distance to the good. Rudd raced away from Scott, of America, as he liked, and won by 25 yards.