CHARLTON WINS FINAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17343, 16 July 1924, Page 8

CHARLTON WINS FINAL.

AUSTRALIAN SWIMMER BEATS BORG IN RECORD TIME. By Telecrsph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.—Aus. and Js.Z. Cable Assn. \ (Received July 16, noon.) PARIS, July 15. The final of the 1500 metres swimming championship resulted:— “ Boy ” Charlton (Australia) . . . . 1 Arne Borg (Sweden) . . . . . . 2 F. E. Beaurepaire (Australia) . . . . 3 Time—2omin 6 3-ssec. Both Charlton and Borg beat the world's record.

“ LED THROUGHOUT.”

Then cam© the vague cabled reports that all vras not well with Charlton—ho had put on weight, his training was not proceeding satisfactorily, be was suffering from indigestion, and so on. The prospect began to look unpromising. Charltpn’s answer to it all is the amazing performance now reported. Certainly the world has never before seen a swimming content that can rank with this one. There have never been two such wonderful swimmers pitted agaiust each other before. The “boy” is as great a 8 his friends have declared him to be. If the time cabled is right he is greater than even they imagined. And the giant who has achieved this wonder is only sixteen years of age. Charlton started swimming in the 1921-22 season, since when his record lias been:— 1921- (fourteen years old)—Won first grad© inter-club scratch race, -440 yards, in smin 45sec. 1922- (fifteen years old)—Won 440 yards New South Wales championship in smin 22 2 ssec. Won 880 yards New South Wales championship in llmin o l-ssec (world’s record). Won one mile New South Wales championship in 24min 43 1-ssec. 1923- (sixteen years old) —Won 220 yards New South Wales championship in 2min 23 4-osec (Australian record). Won 440 yards New South Wales championship in omin 11 4-ssec (Australian record). Won 880 yards New South Wales championship in lOmin 51 4-osec (world’s record). Charlton is oft llsin in height and weighs just over thirteen stone. He has a normal chest measurement of 39in.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Sydney •' Sun * Cable. (Received July 16, 1 p.m.) PARIS July 15. Charlton led throughout. His intermediate world records were : 4CO metres omin 8 2-ssec, 1000 metres 13min 19 4-ssec. Borg’s time was 2 Omin 41 2-6aec; and Beaurepaire’s 21min 46 2^ssec. PLAIN DIVING. Final. Isve (Australia), 13$ points . 1 Jansen (Sweden), 14$ points . 2 Clark (Britain), 15$ points . 3 Rash (America), 23$ points . *1 OLYMPIC TENNIS. Third Round, Singles. Gilbert (England) beat Bay ley (Australia), 7—5, 5—7, 9—7, 6—3. Jacob (India) beat Willard (Australia), 6—l, 6 —2, 3—6, 2—6, 6—3. In the doubles, Richards and Hunter (America) beat Bay lev and Willard (Austrulia), 6—l, 6—2, 6—2. _

IS THE TIME, RIGHT?

Can the time be right? That is the first question .likely to be asked about thifi latest wonderful performance of Charlton’s. When the games started the world’s record for 1500 metres was 21min 35 3-osec. In his heat Charlton reduced that to 21 min 13 1-lOsec. The new record was shortlived, for Arne Borg in his heat cut the figures to 21min 11 4-ssec. Now, we are told, Charlton lias put up a record of 20min 6 3-ssec. It Beems almost incredible. The race has settled at last the long standing argument as to which is the better distance man. When Charlton showed the way to Arne Borg over the long laps of the Sydney Domain bath, he was almost deliriously acclaimed as the greatest swimmer the world had ever seen.

Later, there were doubts. Borg, it was pointed out, had just come off the boat after a long trip, and was, therefore, at a disadvantage when he met the Sydney boy. In the Australian championships that followed, Charlton did not compete, and Borg won in improved times. The doubt ns To who waa the bett<er swimmer grew. Then, when he had left Australia, Borg did wonderful times in America and elsewhere. The debate, thus fed with controversial materials, raged merrily.