ATHLETICS

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160797, 3 November 1920, Page 7

ATHLETICS

A new British record of 56 3-sseo. for 440 yards hurdles was set up in the athletic contests between the British Elmpire and the American Olympic team, held in London in September. F. Smart, of the American team, won, with Americans filling the next two places. Of the eight events on the competitive part of the programme, each side won five, the British Empire team winning the 880 yards relay, 120 yards hurdles, two miles relay, high jump, and one mile relay, and America securing the 440 yards relay, two miles team race, long jump, 440 yards hurdles, and four miles relay. J. Oostenaak (South Africa), G. M. Butler (England), and G, Davidson (New Zealand), running in that order, represented the British Elmpire in the 680 yards relay race against the American Olympic team in a special “meet” in London on September 4. The American team consisted of M. Kirksey,- P. Shea, J. Scholz, and H. Woodring; • Kirksey “cracked” in the last 50 yards of his furlong, and Oosterlaak eet up a lead of nearly 10 yards, which Mawby more than held against Shea. However, Butler lost a little ground against Sholz, and Davidson was fully extended to finish in front of Woodring, and give his team the victory by six yards. Woodring was the winner of the 200 metres race at the Olympic Games. The relay was run in Imin 29 3-ssec. Davidson also ran as the fourth man, in the 400' yards relay, in which V. H. A. D’Arcy. (England) replaced Butler in the British team, and J. W. Merchant took Kirksey’s place in the American set. It ’was a fine race up to the end of the third “hundred.” Unfortunately Mawby muffed the exchange of the baton; and spoilt whatever chance Davidson had of winning. America won by 12 yards in very fast time.