BIG LEAD FOR AMERICANS

Grey River Argus, 7 August 1948, Page 7

BIG LEAD FOR AMERICANS

AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES (Rec. 10.10) LONDON, August 6. . j The United States has a commanding lead in the track, the field and the swimming events at the end of the sixth day of the fourteenth Olympiad. Unofficial statistics showed them to be leading with 218 points (six points for a win, down to one point for sixth j)lace). Sweden is next with 69 points, and then come France with 51 points, Hungary 42, Holland 41, Australia 38, Britain 26, Finland '25, and Denmark 23.

OLYMPIC FINANCES SET RECORD (Rec. 9.5). LONDON, August 6. The Olympic Games already have beaten all financial records. The receipts already exceed those at Berlin’s Olympiad, which totalled £350,000 sterling. The attendance at Wembley Stadium on Thursday was 67,000. The aggregate attendance since the opening exceeds five hundred thousand. It is expected that by the end of the week the total attendance at Wembley Stadium and Pool will have passed one million. There were capacity crowds of seven thousand at the Wembley Empire Pool for afternoon and night sessions on Saturday. The Decathlon In misty rain, a few thousand spectators saw the beginning of the decathlon to decide the world's best allround athlete. The competitors participate in 10 events, five of which were decided on Thursday. Points are awarded for the performances in each event, and the maximum is 10,000 points. The competitois receive 1000 points in each of the 10 events if they equal or better the stipulated times or distances. For the competitors the decathlon developed into a marathon. They began the competitions at 9.30 a.m., and did not finish until 6.30 p.m. The leaders in the decathlon after five events on Thursday were: E. Kistenmacher (Argentine) 3897 points, I. Heinrich (France) 3880, R Mathias (America) 3840, F. Simmons (America) 3843, I. Mondschein (America) 3811. P. Mullins (Australia) 3717. Results were:—

DECATHLON 100 METRES First heat: I. Heinrich (France) 1. Time: llsec. Second heat: F. Sprecher (France) 1. Time: 11.9 sec. Third heat H. Figueroa (Chile) 1. Time: 11.6 sec. Fourth heat: P.. Mullins (Australia) 1. Time: 11.2 sec. Fifth heat: E. Andersson (Sweden) 1. Time: 11.6 sec. Sixth heat: E. Kistenmacher (Argentine) 1. Time 10.9 sec. Seventh heat: O. Clausen (Iceland). Time: l.llsec. Eighth heat: F. Simmons (America) 1. Time: 11.2 sec. Ninth heat: J. Cretain (France). Time: ll.Gsec. DECATHLON 400 METRES F. Simmons (America) 1; P. Erikson (Sweden) 2; P. Mullins (Australia) 3. Time: 51.9 sec. DECATHLON HIGH JUMP J. Heinrich (France) 1. Athletics 400 METRES The 400 metres final was the raca of the day. From the moment the gun sounded, 60,000 people cheered the world’s best six 400 metres men as they exerted every ounce of energy in the supreme test for the Olympic title. The Australian, Curotta, shot out of the holes to an early lead and tore along the first straight stretch ahead of Whitfield, with McKenley beginning to make up leeway. McKenley hit the front on the home turn and led into the straight from Curotta and Whitfield. McKenley still held the lead 90 yards from home, out Wint was beginning to forge ahead and challenge the leaders. Wint, with a final burst, broke the tape in time equalling the Olympic record, and to the crowd’s deafeningroar he won by about 12 feet.

Results: — a x . First semi-final: A. Wint (Jamaica) 1 • M. Curotta (Australia) 2; M. Whitfield (America) 3. Time: 46.35ec. Second semi-final: H. McKenlev (Jamaica) 1; D. Bolen (America) 2: j Guida (America) 3. Time: 47.35ec. Final: Wint 1; McKenley 2; Whitford 3. Time: 46.95ec. Then followed Bolen, Curotta and Guida.

3000 METRES STEEPLECHASE Sweden dominated the 3000 metres steeplechase, filling the first three places. Sjoestrand and Elmsaetei held good positions throughout, and took the lead at the beginning of the last lan They fought out an exciting finish. The event, with its water iumn and hurdles, was popular with the ’crowd, and the competitors were Cheered for the entire seven and a 'J?nal: aPS T. Joestrand (Sweden)Wl; &ee^ mS (S e Jv e e r de ( n S ) Wed 3 en) 4.6 sec.

JAVELIN Final: K. Rautavaara (Finland) 1, S. Seymour (America) 2 J. vars zegi (Hungary) 3. Distance: 228 ft IOMn.

WOMEN’S 200 METRES The Australian girls, Misses King, Strickland and McKinnon, all won the r wav into the women’s 200 metres semi-finals. Misses King an McKinnon were not good enough to reach the final, but Miss Strickland figured in the first dead-heat for the 1948 Olympiad athletics by tying o first place in her semi-final. The phenomenal Dutch gul, Miss Blankers-Coen, won the other semifinal by five yards after being left at th Fo S i- a the first time at the Games a runXer was withdrawn from a race for breaking twice. She was Miss A. Wheeler, of Chile, in the seventh heat Two competitors collansed in the third heat, one when she had the race won and the second after crossing the line.

First heat: F. Blan-kers-Coen (Holland) 1; L. s M’ (France) 2; . M. Faggs (United St Second' heat:’ “ o°' Thompson (Jamaica) 1; S. Cheeseman (Britain) 2; D. Foster (Canada) 3. Time. Se Third heat: J. King (Australia) 1; W Lightbourne (Bermuda) 2, L. Pirn (Brazil) 3. Time: 25.95ec. Fourth heat: D. Robb (South Africa) 1; S. Strickland (Australia) 2; N. Jackson (America) 3. Time: 25.3 Se Fifth heat: A. Jatterson (America) 1; M. Walker (Britain) 2; K. Russell (Jamaica) 3. Time: 25.55ec. ■ Sixth heat: B. McKinnon (Australia) 1; R. Faugouin (France) 2: G. de Jongh (Holland) 3. Time: 25.95ec . Seventh heatt: A. Williamson (Britain) 1; N. Harelse (Holland) 2; M. Chester (Canada) 3. Time: 25.45ec. First semi-final: Blankers-Coen 1; Patterson 2; Walker 3. Time: 24.35ec Second semi-final: Strickland and

Williamson, dead-heat, 1; Robb 3. Time: 24.95ec. RAPID PISTOL FIRE The Hungarian, K. Takacs, who is one-armed, won the 25 metres rapidfire pistol event at Bisley, scoring 580 of a possible 600 points. Argentine’s C. Valiente, the world champion pistol shot, was second with 570; S. Lingqvist (Sweden) 3. Swimming 500 METRES FREESTYLE John Marshall (Australia) recorded the fastest time in the heats of the men’s 1500 metres freestyle swim, and is given a great chance of winning this event. He was only coasting in the early stages of his heat to-day. He led by 40 yards at the half-way mark and maintained this advantage to the finish. First round results were:— First heat: W. Heusner (America) 1; F. Voeroes (Hungary) 2; J. Wardrop (Britain) 3. Time: 20min 29.65ec. Second heat: J. McLane (America) 1; J. Hale (Britain) 2; R. Kestener (Brazil) 3. Time: 20min 17.7 sec. Third heat: M. Stipetic (Yugoslavia) 1; D. Bland (Britain) 2; S. Basanung (Philippines) 3. Time: 20 min lO.lsec. Fourth heat: G. Scordaas (Hungary) 1; P. Ostrand (Sweden) 2; L. Gongzalez (Colombia) 3. Time:. 20 min 6.Bsec. Fifth heat: J. Marshall (Australia) 1; F. Norris (America) 2; J. Bernado (France) 3. Time: 20min l.lsec. Sixth heat: G. Mitre (Hungary) 1: M. Bartusek (Czechoslovakia) 2; F. Perez (Uruguay) 3. Time: 20min 15sec. 200 METRES BREASTSTROKE First round results were: — First heat: R. Sohl (America) 1; A. Makache (France) 2; A. Castillo (Mexico) 3. Time: 2min 44.95ec. Second heat: J. Verdeur (America) 1; B. Bonte (Holland) 2; C. Perez (Argentine) 3. Time: 2min 40sec (a new Olympic record). Third heat: W. Jordan (Brazil) 1, S. Memeth (Hungary) 2; R. Romain (Britain) 3. Time: 2niin 46.45ec. Fourth heat: K. Carter (America) 1- J. Davies (Australia) 2; W. Pavlicek (Austria) 3. Time: 2min 46.3 sec Fifth heat: A. Kandill (Egypt). 1; T. Cerer (Yugoslavia) 2; M. Lusien (France) 3. Time: 2'min 45.55ec. MEN’S 100 METRES BACKSTROKE First semi-final: A. Stack (America) 1; G. Vallerey (France) 2; J. Brockway (Britain) 3. Time: Imin 7.3 sec. Second semi-final: R. Cowell (America) 1: A. Kinnear (Britain) 2; J. Wild (South Africa) 3. Time: Imin B.ssec. HIGH DIVING Dr Sam Lee had a clear n mts lead over his compatriot, Harlan, in the final of the high board diving. Lee, who is of Korean descent and only sft 2in in height, crowned brilliant diving with a three-and-a-half forward running somersault —the first time this was done at the carnival. 'Result: S. Lee (America) 13005 points, 1: B. Harlan (Ameiica) 122.3, 2. WOMEN’S 100 METRES BACKSTROKE From a perfect start Karen Harup took the lead in the final, closely followed by the American, Susie Zimmerman, and the Australian, Judy Davies. Harup, at 50 metres, had a one-yard lead and beat off the challengers near the finish. Result:— Final: K. Harup (Denmark) I;.S. Zimmerman (America) 2; J. Davies (Australia) 3. Time: Imin 14.4 sec (a new Olympic record). WOMEN’S 100 METRES FREESTYLE Greta Anderson, of Denmark, coL lapsed and sank in the third heat or the women’s 400 metres freestyle. A Hungarian girl dived into the pool and pulled her out. Miss Anderson was unconscious for some time. She said she was suffering from exhaustion She won the 100 metres swimming title last Monday. Results in the first round were:— First heat: H. Harup (Denmark) 1: A. Curtis (America) 2; C. Thomas I (France) 3. Time: smin 31.7 sec. Second heat: C. Gibson (Britain) 1; F. Caroen (Belgium) 2; F. Carstensen (Denmark) 3. Time: smin 26 9sec. Third heat: B. Heiser (America) and T. Tavers (Brazil) dead-heat, 1; P. Nielsen (Britain) 3. Time: smin 30sec. YACHTING The accumulated points of the leaders after three days’ racing in the Olympic regatta at Torquay are; Firefly class: Sweden, 2521 points. Star class: America, 3090. Swallow class: Britain, 2787. Six-metre class America, 2824. Dragon class Sweden 2461. FENCING After nearly 12 hours’ fencing, the men's teams were narrowed to eight nations They are Belgium, Denmark, France, Hungary, Italy, Luxemburg, Sweden, and Switzerland. There were many disputes- in the preliminary rounds to-day, and also some injuries. CYCLING The National Cycling Union, aftex hearing evidence from Reg. Harris, Britain’s champion cyclist, and his doctor, decided that Harris must again be regarded as available for Olympic selection.

SINGLE SCULLS The single sculls are expected to orovide the keenest final struggle. The Australian, Mervyn Wood, the American, Jack Kelly, the Frenchman. Jean Sepheriades, and the Britisher, Anthony Rowe, all easily won their heats to-day, and are expected to meet in the final on August 9. Wood made the fastest time in the heats, and could have done better had he been pressed. Kelly is being coached by his father, who won the Olympic sculls at Antwerp in 1920. Sepheriades is the only Frenchman ever to win the Diamond Sculls. First round results were:—

First heat: M. Wood (Australia) 1; G. Risso (Hungary) 2. Time: 7min 25.95ec. Second heat: A. Rowe (Britain) 1;

H. Keller (Switzerland) 2. Time: 7 min 30.5 sec. Third heat: J. Kelly (America) 1; C. Brunnquist (Sweden) 2. Time: 7 liin 39.75ec. Fourth heat: J. Sepheriades (France) 1; T. Cappozzi (Argentine) 2. Time: 7min 34.35ec. > Fifth heat: R. Castasta (Italy) 1:' F. Matheou (Greece) 2. No time given. ROWING Fairs without Cox: Third heat: Austria 1; America 2. Time: 7min 19 3sec Fourth heat: Brazil 1; Belgium 2. Time: 7min 33.1 sec. Pairs with Cox: First heat: Yugoslavia 1; Britain 2. Time 7min 59sec. Second heat: Italy 1; Denmark 2. Time: 7min 47.65ec. Third heat: France 1; Greece 2. Time: Bmin I.7sec. Fourth heat Argentine rowed over. Brazil withdrew. Double Sculls: First heat: France 1; Britain 2. Time: 6min 47.8 sec. Second, heat: Denmark 1; Switzerland 2. Time: 6min 50.1 sec. Third heat: Belgium 1; Holland 2. Time: 6min 50.9 sec. Fourth heat: America 1; Argentine 2. Time: 7min I.3sec. Fours without Cox: First heat: Italy 1; Denmark 2. Time: 6min 34.8 see. Second heat America 1; Argentine 2. Time: 6min 43.8 sec. Third heat: Britain 1: Czechoslovakia 2. Time: 6min 44.95ec. Fourth heat: Holland 1; Yugoslavia 2. Time: 6min 47.1 sec. Eights: First heat: Britain 1; Norway 2; Denmark 3. Timej 6min 5.3 ■ sec. Second heat: -Italy 1; Switzerland 2; Argentine 3. Time: 6min 3.9 sec. Third heat: Canada 1; Portugal 2; Ireland 3. Time: 7min 6.2 sec. Fourth heat: America 1; Yugoslavia 2; France 3. Time: smin 59.1 sec. N.Z. Team Three members of the New Zealand team at the Olympic Games have yet to make their first appearances. The boxer, R. Goslin. and the weight-lifter, M. Crow, will both compete on August 9, and the road cyclist T. R. Carter, will race in the 200 kilometre event on August 13. D. M. Harris is making a satisfactory recovery after the operation on his' Achilles 'tendon, which the sur- ' geons exposed by making a 12-inch incision up the calf of the leg. The spike wound had split the tendon for eight inches. It was stitched and the leg is now in plaster. It is expected that Harris will remain in hospital three weeks. He is honing to spend a second vear at Loughborough College to secure a diploma as a physical instructor. He said he would like to run in the Empire Games in 1950. GREY FOOD PARCELS FOR BRITISH ATHLETES Among those selected to represent Great Britain in the Olympic Games is Ray Barkway, a hurdler, who also is one of the seven track athletes to whom the Grey Athletic Club despatched food parcels during the year. Barkway informed the president of the Club, Mr T. Blackie, that the food parcels had greatly assisted his preparations for the Olympic ■ Games. He expressed the hope that the Empire Games would be held in New Zealand in 1950. Other recipients of parcels’ from the Club were John Wilkinson, sprinter and A. A. Robertson, distance runner, but they failed to gain selection. John Marks, who carried the final Olympic Torch, is another who has received food parcels from the Club'.