OLYMPIC GAMES OPEN.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18703, 1 August 1932, Page 7

OLYMPIC GAMES OPEN.

INTERNATIONAL ATHLETES A brilliant spectacle. I 2000 COMPETITORS PRESENT. United Tress Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright, LOS ANGELES, July 80. There was an attendance of 105,000 people at the opening of the Olympic Games in the Los Angeles Stadium this afternoon by the Vice-President of the United States, Mr. Charles Curtis. A welcome was extended to the visitors by Count de Baillet-Latour, president of the International Olympio Committee. Greek athletes headed the grand march. They were followed by the Argentina detachment, with the Australians next, dressed all in green. Then came the Austrians, after whom were the athletes of Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Cuba, Czecho-Slova-kla, Denmark, Egypt. Finland, France, Britain, Haiti,. Holland, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Yugoslavia, Latvia, New Zealand, Norway, the Phillipines, Poland, Portgual, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, South Africa, United States and California. A welcome to the competitors was given by Mr. W. M. Garland, president of the Organising Committee. Two thousand athletes from 39 countries took part in the procession. Terse and Pithy. Mr. Curtis’ opening speech comprised 27 words. He said; “In the name of the President of the United States, I proclaim open the Olympic Games of Los Angeles, celebrating the 10th Olympiad in the mbdern era." The parade took place in brilliant sunshine. “ Boy Charlton, who bad recovered from an attack of influenza, led the Australians. They were given a tremendous ovation on entering the arena. The other nations followed in alphabetical order. The New Zealand oontingent was led by the flag-bearer, J, McDonald, of Marlborough. There was a one-man team from China, also from Colombia, Uruguay and Egypt. Japan, with 202 athletes, had the largest representation from abroad. The Olypmio ritual was carried out with a salute of 10 guns, the lighting of the Olympio torch, the flag-raising ceremony and the singing of the Olympic hymn by a chorus of 1200 voices. Then 2000 pigeons were released from the centre of the arena. hene Duverger (France) w r on the first championship of the Games this evening, id the light-weight division of the weight-lifting competition. He lifted 7151 b. and thus beat his Amsterdam record of 7111 b. Hans Haas (Austria) was second. . ( Coming Events. To-morrow’s evefits will engage the attention of five Australians. In the 400 metres hurdles race Golding will' meet Lord Burghley, England, and the Italian Facelll. A. J. Elliot, New Zealand, expects his greatest opposition in the 100 metres from the German Jonath. C. E. Evans, another New Zealander, in the first heat of the 800 metres will meet the American Genung, the Frenchman Keliler, and the Swiss, P. Martin. J. E. Lovelock, will meet in the third heat of the 800 metres the Englishman Hampson and the Frenchman S. Martin. J. W. Savidan, in the 10,000 metre contest, expects his greatest competition ultimately from the Pole, Kusciniski. The Rowing Events. The New Zealand eight-oared crew has drawn a hard race for the opening of the dowing 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 wllll appear in the final. Pearce will row against scullers from America and Germany In the first heat of the singles on August 9. Mr. P. Rundle, manager of the New Zealand team, made the following statement: "The New Zealand team is taking its task seriously and all the members are keyed up for the great days ahead. The will to win is not lacking in our team." When R. C. Foubister, of Auckland, was cycling on the road course yesterday, he crashed over an embankment. His cycle was smashed, but he escaped injury. RECORDS ACCEPTED. 30 PERFORMANCES ENDORSED. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. LOS ANGELES, July 30. Thirty new world's records and three performances equalling present records were accepted to-day by the International Amateur Athletic Federation. Paavo Nurmi's records were brought to 10 by the recognition of three more. The record of J. E. Lovelock (New Zealand ol’ 3m. 2 2-ss. for the 1320yds. run, made on June 11 last, was among the recognised world’s records. Others included the following: 100 Metres.—lo.3s. Percy Williams (Canada), August 9, 1930, at Toronto. GOOO Metres Relay.—lsm. 55. Gs. England, September 30, 1931, at Cologne. FINLAND ANNOYED. AT NURMI’S EXCLUSION. United Press Assn. —Klee. Tel. Copyright. ' HELSINGFORS, July 30. There is great indignation in Finland at the exclusion ol' Nurmi from th e Olympic Games. Sporting circles are pressing the public l'or a unanimous demand for the withdrawal of the entire Finnish delegation from the Games. The Athletic Association, however, has cabled to its representatives atl.os Angeles lo make up their own minds.