THE OLYMPIC GAMES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2289, 7 September 1908, Page 2

THE OLYMPIC GAMES.

BAD FEELING IN THE STADIUM

The decisions of the judgesto declare the 4QO metres contest ; at the Olympic Games “no race, led tc an ugly scene and a good deal of international ill-feeling. There does not seem to be any doubt that Carpenter, the American runner, elbowed Daiswelle (England) off tho track, when the latter xvas drawing ahead, and spoiled lxis chances. London journalists arc emphatic on- the point, an inspection of tho footmarks bore out the evidence of eye-witnesses, and Halswelle shoxved marks on his chest which he declared had been caused by Carpenter’s elbow. The crowd _ was greatly excited by the decision of the judges, and made a lengthy demonstration. Several American and English spectators were within an ace of coming to bloxvs. The Americans took the decision badly. The manager of the team characterised it as an outrage, and said he never saxv a fairer race run. The trainer is quoted as saying:—“Highway robbery is prettystrong language, but no other phrase fits tlie case.” Some New York papers took iup a very unsportsmanlike attitude. '‘Robbed of the Stadium Race,” xvas one heading. “It did cheer up the English yesterday to have Great Britain win an event—with a pair of South African legs,” sneered another paper, while a third remarked:—“Noxv there is only one thing left to us to make the Olympic victories decisive; that is to take up javelin-throwing, ping-pong, croquet, and fancy dancing, in which our foreign rivals still excell.” Tlie Americans had previously complained that the British officials favored their oxvu countrymen. “The Press has educated us to bcliex-e that the English sportsman is the best on earth,” said a prominent American. “You still sax- so, yet nex-er in any other country —and this is the fourth Olympic ‘l have attended—have I seen a victorious stranger get less recognition from the populace or the officials than here. Your officials ought to remember, especially xvlien foreigners are alloxved no representation on the field, that they are in the Stadium to see that everybody gets fair play. Tliey are not there to coach their own people, nor to cheer a stranger’s misliap. Tho best ausxx-er to this is tlie opinion of eleven foreign members of the Olympic Committee that at no similar meeting had fairer treatment been accorded foreign competitors.