THE FIFTH OLYMPIAD.

Evening Star, Issue 14932, 19 July 1912, Page 8

THE FIFTH OLYMPIAD.

THE PRELIMINARY HEATS. Press As»o«iatian—By Telegraph—Copyright. STOCKHOLM, July 17. The Australians were rowing 30 strokes to the minute towards the finish of the first heat with the Gothenburg (Sweden) eight, and they spurted over the last 100 metres. The Leander crew in their heat led throughout. They were a length in front at 500 metres. At the three-quarter distance Canada rowed 40 strokes to the minute, recovering half a length, but the Leander crew, with a brilliant spurt, won by three-quarters of a length. In the first round of the sculls Buttler (Canada) and Ivinnear won their heats. The latter beat Hoffman (Germany) easily by a length. Cecil M'Villy (Tasmania) boat Stahnke (Germany), but was disqualified for cutting across his opponent's water, the boats bumping frequently. AUSTRALIANS DEFEATED. STOCKHOLM, July 18. (Received July 19, at 9.45 a.m.) I/eander beat Australia by two-thirds of a length. Time, 6min lOgsec. New College beat Stockholm.

[The news of Australia's defeat by the Leander crew would not be. very welcome in the Commonwealth, but it is hardly likelv to create as much surprise as satisfaction in rowing circles in England. Leander's defeat by Australia in the final of the Grand Challenge Cup at Henley was not regarded by English, oarsmen as conclusive. On that occasion Australia won by three-quarters of a length, .ind the London ' Times,' while admitting that Australia seemed to have the pace of Leander all through, said: "It should be remembered that Leander had not attained perfect condition They were lees fit than the Australians, hence'it might be a misi take to prejudge too confidently the reeult !»of a similar encounter at Stockholm on Saturday's race." And Mr Guy Nickalls, the old Oxonian and winner of many championships, remarked that the belter crew won, but added that it was only fair io say that a marked weakness on bow-side was noticed in the Leander crew, causing the boat to go sideways up most of the course, with the rudder against the stroke-side at times. Mr Nif-kails did not think that the Australians would again beat Leander, for tho weakness on bow-sid© had been discovered and remedied. On the other hand, the London 'Sportsman' and the ' Standard ' regarded Leander's prospects of turning the tables cs rather remote. Whether or not it was wise, of the Australians to alter their crew, and so upset !o some extent the combination possessed by the victors at Henley, is a moot point.] A TERRIFIC STRUGGLE. AUSTRALIANS OUTSTAYED. STOCKHOLM, July 18. ! (Received July 19, at noon). The Australian's, who had the outside berth, started off at 42 to the minute, I Leander rowing 40. The crews soon | dropped to 40 and 36 respectively. At halfway the Australians led by half a length, and at 1,500 metres they were still I ahead, when Leander, though splashing 1 badly, made a great etl'oit and drew level. i Pass'ing under the bridge they again ! spurted, and a magnificent struggle for the lead took place up the straight. Leander just managed, 300 yds from the goal, to get ahead, and so they shot past the crowded stands. The time was a record for the course. j Both crews were absolutely rowed out. | MINOR EVENTS. | LONDON, July 18. I (Received July 19, at 11.5 a.m.) j Great Britain won the Military Team ; Riding Competition, with Germany second ! and tho United States third. | IMPERIAL UNITY. I ADVOCATFD IN SPORT. j STOCKHOLM. July 18. | ~ (Received July 19, at 8.25 a.m.) J Conversations with the Canadian, Ausi tralian, and South African athletes elicit i the fact that all are in favor of entering i one Empire team in future Olympic j Games, instead of dissipating their strength by breaking into units representative of various parts of the Empire. LONDON, July 18. (Received July 19, at 10.30 a.m.) The Stockholm correspondent of ' The Times' says that the United Kingdom representatives desire a united team in preference to Empire unite. Many of the oversea athletes favor consolidation. Conan Doyle, who makes a similar suggestion, says he would also enlist the aid of Cingalese and Malay .swimmers, of Indian runners, and of Sikh wrestlers.

The German Olympic Committee has decided to authorise Count Stierstorpff, the representative of Germany at the Stockholm Games, to propose to the International Committee that the Olympic Games of 1916 should be held in Berlin. Germany is represented at Stockholm by 178 competitors in various sports, including 25 field and track athletes, 15 wrestlers. 20 fencers, 12 marksmen, 22 footballers, 9 lawn tennis players, 12 cyclists, 34 oarsmen, and 2 competitors in the Pentathlon.