WOMEN’S GAMES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19953, 10 November 1934, Page 16

WOMEN’S GAMES

DANGER OF ABANDONMENT

According to the sports writer of the "Australian Women’s Weekly" the Women’s World Games, the fourth series of which, held in England in August, were won by Germany, are in danger of being abandoned. The move, strangely enough, has been made by the German Women’s Athletic Association. As an alternative it has been suggested that these Games should be included in the next Olympic Games. If this were done, the question is raised immediately as to whether women would control this part of the Olympic Games or whether the arrangements would be in the hands of men officials. Doubtless, it would be felt by many of the women’s organisations that after striving for so many years for control of their own sports, it would be regrettable if control should be handed over to a body of men. It is reported that there was, undoubtedly, a flavour of mismanagement about the recent world games, but it is felt it was not so serious that it could not be remedied. So complete was Germany’s victory at the recent Women’s World Games that out of twelve possible first places the rest of the world carried off only three, in the 60 metres (won by S. Walasiewicz, Poland, holder, who when she was in America was known as Stella Walsh), the 800 metres (won by Z. Koubkova, Czechoslovakia), and the discus (won by J. Wajsowna, Poland). The German team, the “Manchester Guardian” correspondent commented, appeared to be better physical specimens and better taught and wiser athletes than any of their opponents. Germany had 95 points, Poland 33, England 31, Canada 22, Czechoslovakia 18, and South Africa 14. It was also mentioned that the final of the 800 metres, metres, though producing the greatest record of the day, provided ammunition for those who deplore long or middle distance running for women. The obvious distress of some of the runners towards the end of and after the race, it is stated, was painful to see. The winner, however, Mile. Koubkova (Czechoslovakia), who is described as looking exactly like a boy of 18 or 19, won easily and without distress in 2min. 12 2-ssec., an astonishing time for a woman. The other runners finished more or less in a state

of collapse. Another prominent member at the meeting was Frau Engelhardt, wife of a great German runner. Frau Engelhardt established a British and world’s record of 11 3-ssec. for the 80 metres hurdles.