TENTH OLYMPIAD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 179, 1 August 1932, Page 8

TENTH OLYMPIAD

OPENING CEREMONY SCENES AT LOS ANGELES PARADE OF COMPETITORS international contests (Special to A. and N.Z. Press Assn.) Received July 31, 7.5 p.m. LOS ANGELES, July 30. A crowd of 105,000 attended the opening of the 1932 Olympic Games this afternoon by the United States VicePresident, Mr. Charles Curtis. A welcome was extended by Count de Baillct Latour, president of the International Olympic Committee.

The Greek athletes headed the grand march, followed by Argentine, with the Australians next, dressed all in green, and then Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Fiance, Great. Britain, Haiti, Holland, Hungary, India. Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jugo-Slavia, Latvia, New Zealand, Norway, Phillipines, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, South Africa. United States and California. Two thousand athletes from 39 countries took part in the procession. M”. Curtis’ opening occupied twentysix words: “In the name of the President of the United States I proclaim open the Olympic Games of Los Angeles celebrating the Tenth Olympiad of the modern era.”

A welcome was given by Mr. W. M. Garland, president of the Organising Committee.

Tphe opening was favoured by bright sunshine and a cool Pacific breeze. In commemoration of the Grecian origin, of the Games, Greece was accorded the honour of leading the lengthy parade. The Australians, headed by Charlton, who has considerably recovered from an attack of influenza, marched third in line. They met with a tremendous ovation on entering the arena. Other nations followed the Australians in alphabetical order, the New Zealand contingent being led by the flag-bearer, McDonald. There were one man teams from China, Colombia, Uruguay and Egypt, while Japan, with 202 athletes, had the largest representation from abroad. Mr. Taylor, who is representing Australia on -the International Olympic Committee, was among the distinguished group in the arena when VicePresident Curtis declared the Games open. The Olympic ritual, with a salute of ten guns, lighting the Olympic torch, the flag-raising ceremony and the singing of the Olympic hymn by a chorus of 1200 voices followed. Then 2000 doves were released from the centre of the arena. Managers Confident.

Interviewed on the eve of tho Games by the Australian and New Zealand Press Association special correspondent, Mr. Miller, manager of the Australian team, said: “I see no reason to change my original statement, that Australia will win four championships. We enter the Games determined to carry on tho great tradtions of amateurism. All rhe team members will play the game for the game’s sake.” Mr. Rundle, the New Zealand manager, made the following statement: “The New Zealand team is taking its task seriously and all members are "keyed up for the great days ahead. The will to win is not lacking in our team.” To-morrow’s trials engage attention: In the 400 metres hurdles Golding (Australia) meets Lord Burghley (Britain) and the Italian Faeelli. Elliott (New Zealand) in the 100 metres expects the greatest opposition from the German Jonath.

Evans (New Zealand) in the first heat of the 800 metres meets Genung (United States), Keller (France), and P. Martin (Switzerland). Lovelock (New Zealand), whose time —3min. 2 2-ssec. for three-quarters of a mile—has been recognised by the Olympic Committee as a world’s amateur record, meets in the third heat of the 800 metres Hampson (Britain) and S. Martin (France). Savidan (New Zealand) in the 10,000 metre contest expects the greatest competition ultimately from Kusliniski (Poland). News of New Zealanders. The New Zealander, Foubister, when cycling on the road course yesterday, crashed over an embankment. The cyclo was smashed but he escaped injury. The New Zealand eight-oared crew has drawn, a hard race fur the opening rowing of the events on August 10. In the second heat they will meet Canada, America and Germany. The eight-oared events will be contested in. two heats, the winners of each racing in the final. The six beaten crews will then row off and the first and second will appear in the final. Pearce (Australia) will row against scullers from America and Germany in the first heat of the singles on August 9. FIRST BLOOD TO FRANCE WEIGHT-LIFTING CHAMPIONSHIP Received July 31, 5.5 p.m. LOS ANGELES, July 30. Rene Duverger (France) won the first championship at the Olympic Games on Saturday night in the lightweight division of the weightlifting competition, by lifting 7151b5. to beat the Amsterdam record of 71 libs. Hans Haas (Austria) was second. DRAW FOR ROWING EVENTS NEXT WEEK'S HEATS Received July 30, 5.5 p.m. LONG BEACH (Cal.), July I’9. I The draw was made, to-day for the | Olympic rowing by the International Rowing Federal ion. August 9. —First 'heat, of four-oar with coxswain: Lane one Germany, two Brazil, three Italy, four New Zealand. Pair without coxswain, second heat: Laue one New Zealand, two Britain, three Holland. Singles, first heat: Lane one United States, two Germany, three Australia. August 10.— Eight oared race, second heat: Jane one United Stales, two New Zealand, three Panada.