STRUGGLE IN RELAY RACES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20493, 11 August 1936, Page 7

STRUGGLE IN RELAY RACES

BRITAIN AND AMERICA SHARE HONOURS United Press Association—By Elec*r>c Telegraph Copyright BERLIN. August 9. The United States Olympic star, Jesse Owens, as might he expected gave the United States a magnificent sendoff in the 400 metres relay, which the succeeding runners Metcalfe and Draper increased, enabling Wykoff, who has now assisted America to win the event three times, to get home by nearly 20 yards, Italy snatching second place from Germany, in a terrific finish. Holland was expected to be well placed, owing to the possession of Osendarp, the best European sprinter, but he was disqualified through dropping the baton. When the United States team mounted the dais to receive the laurel wreaths and medals, Owens, remembering his fellow negro, Metcalfe, although he had been in two Olympiads, had never been in the first place, pushed him into the highest position. The spectators, including Herr Hitler, tumultuously cheered the Americans after the anthem was played. British Supremacy. The British quarter-milers, who had been regarded as the strongest portion of the team, somewhat redeemed the reputation of the British athletes by winning the 1600 metres relay. Fritz gave Canada a lead in the first lap with America second, but Rampling, running magnificently in the second lap, outdistanced the American, Young, and the veteran Canadian negro. Edwards, finishing seven feet ahead. Roberts put Britain three yards ahead at the end of the third lap, and Brown dashed home five yards to the good, despite the American, Fitch, running himself out to the point of collapse. Britain’s first track victory was received with great acclamation. GERMANY’S i.IISFORTUNE. In the women’s relay there was | tragedy for Germany, who yesterday i created a world record when Marie I Dollinger, third string, was handing on the baton to Use Doerfeldt, Germany had a six yards lead, and appeared certain of victory, but the passing was fumbled, and the baton fell. A tremendous groan rose from the spectators. Herr Hitler threw up his hands in a gesture of dismay. Doerfeldt walked off the track weeping, as Helen Stephens, the American record breaker, swept on to victory, the United States’ team equalling the Olympic record. Herr Hitler’s Sympathy. Herr Hitler received the German relay team and commiserated wirh them in their misfortune. He shook hands with the weeping Fraulein Doerfeldt, saying: “Never mind, you did splendidly.” General Goering, Dr. P. Goebbels and Herr von Schammer, Lie Nazi spoils leader, also received the team. An official agency states that all sympathised with the team, add ig that it would certainly have won but for the mishap, and adds -he girls were all in tears throughout the afternoon. The British girl relay team included Miss Brown, a sister of A. G. K. Brown, who ran the last British lao of the 1600 metres. Brilliant Britisher. International observers considered that Rampling ran the finest 400 metres of the Games. He made up 15 yards, giving Britain a commanding

lead in the relay. Private watches made his time just outside 46secs. The results are as under: — 1600 Metres Relay. First heat —United States (193 sec 1, Hungary (197 sec 2. Second heat—Britain 194 2-ssec) 1, Sweden (194 3-ssec) 2. Third heat—Germany (195 sec 1, Canada (195 sec 2. All qualified for the final. FINAL Britain (F. Wolff, G. J. Rampling, W. Roberts, K. R. G. Brown), 3min 9sec) 1 United States, 3min llsec 2 Germany, 3min 11.8 sec 3 Canada, 3min 11.8 sec 4 Sweden, 3min 13sec 5 Hungary, 3min 14.8 sec 6 400 Metres Relay. First heat—United States (Owens, Metcalfe, Draper, Wykoff) 40sec, equalling the world tecord, 1; Italy, 41 l-10sec 2. Second heat—Holland, 41 3-10 sec, 1; Argentine, 41 9-10 sec, 2. Third heat —Germany, 41 2-ssec t; Canada, 41isec, 2. FINAL United States, 39.8 sec (a world record) * Italy, 2 Germany, 41.2 sec 3 Argentine, 42.25ec .. 4 Canada, 42.75ec .. .. 5 Women’s 400 Metres Relay. First semi-final—United States, 47 l-10sec, 1; Canada, 48sec, 2; Holland, 48 2-ssec, 3. Second semi-final —Germany, 46 2-5 sec (a world record) 1; Britain, 47i«sec, 2; Italy, 48 3-ssec, 3. FINAL. United States, 46.95ec .... 1 Britain, 47.65ec 2 Canada, 47.8 sec 3 Italy, 48.7 sec 4 Holland, 48.8 sec 5 Germany dropped the baton and were disqualified. Women’s High Jump. The twenty entries in the women’s high jump did not include the titleholder, Jean Shiley, of the United States. I When Carter eliminated, only Osak (Hungary) Olam (Britain) Kaun (Germany), Ratzen (Germany) and Nicholas (France) remained. Chak (1.62). Odam and Kaun failed at that height. Odam, with 1.60 won second place, Kaun failing at that height. Carter (Australia) was eliminated at 1.58 metres. Wrestling. The Graeco-Roman wrestling, heavyweight, the final resulted: Palusalu (Estonia) 1, Nyman (Sweden) 2, Hornfischer (Germany) 3. Hockey. Sweden v. Belgium, 2-0. Holland v. France, 3-1.