THE OLYMPIC GAMES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13746, 8 September 1908, Page 3

THE OLYMPIC GAMES.

AMERICAN. ILL-FEELING

CARPENTER DISQUALIFIED FOR

"BORING. '

The decision of the judges to declare the 400 metres content at the Olympic Games "no race," led to an ugly scene and a good deal of international illfeeling. There does not seeni to be any doubt that Carpenter, the American runner, elbowed Hals«elle (England) off tho track, when the latter was drawing ahead, and spoiled his chances. London journalists are emphatic on the point, an inspection of the footmarks bore out the evidence of eye-witnesses, and Halswelle showed marks on' his chest which he declared had been caused by Carpenter's elbow. The crowd was greatly excited by the decision of the judges, and made a lengthy demonstration. Several American and English spectators were within an ace of coming to blows. The Americans took the decision badly. The manager of the teani characterised it as an outrage, and said he never saw a fairer race run. The trainer is quoted as saying: — "Highway robbery is pretty strong language, but no other phrase fits the case."

Some New York papers took up a very unsportsmanlike attitude. "Robbed of Stadium Race." was one heading. '"It did cheer up the English yesterday to have Great Britain win an ©yent — with a pair/ of South African legs," sneered another paper, while a third remarked: — "Now there is only one thing left us to make the Olympic victories decisive; that is to take up javelin-throwing, ping-pong, croquet and fancy dancing, in which our foreign rivals excel." The Americans had previously complained that the British officials favoured their own countrymen. "The Press has educated us to believe that the English sportsman is the best on earth," said a prominent American. "You still say so, yet never in any other country — and this is the fourth Olympia I have attended — have I seen a victorious stranger get less recognition from the populace or the officials than here, our officials otight to remember, especially when foreigners are allowed no representation on the field, that they ore in the Stadium to see that everybody gets fair play. They are not there to coach their own people, nor to cheer a stranger's mishap." Many of the athletes themselves have since expressed their disgust at these reflections and assured tho public that they were treated with fairness. j