OLYMPIC GAMES.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 July 1924, Page 2

OLYMPIC GAMES.

CHARLTON'S CHEAT WIN. IOBraALIAN AND MCA OaDLK ASSOCIATION. LONDON, July 15. The Australian Press Association’s ->. Paris 'correspondent says:—“The sensation at the Olympic swimming this afternoon was Charlton’s brilliant re-cord-breading victory in the fifteen hundred metres. No race so far has attracted such interest. Charlton and Borg are generally acclaimed as the World’s best distance swimmers, although no fewer than four finalists lowered the record in their heats, 'len thousand spectators swarmed the baths and thousands could not he admitted. Jinny Australians specially journeyed to Paris to see the race, and they greeted Charlton with a ring of ‘cooes’ and waving of Australian flags, as he appeared. The positions at the starting Ismrd were:—Beaurcpairc 1, Hatfield 2, Charlton 3, Tnkaishi 4, and Borg 5, in that order. Charlton touched first, hut Borg immediately went to the front, at a terrific pace. He turned two feet- ohead of Charlton, and increased his lead to three feet at the hundred metres. Charlton. watching every stroke, and swimming with admirable judgment, then gradually reduced the gap. They turned together at the three hundred metres, to tho accompaniment of deafening cheers. Charlton took the lead over the next lap. Borg mado a dotermined effort at the five hundred "f metres, but the Australian maintained a terrific pace, and forged ahead. He was loading by three yards at the six hundred metres. Borg now appeared beaten, but Charlton, although easing down, never took his eyes off Borg. Thereafter, tbe race became a procession Charlton increasing his lead at every lap.

Hatfield and Beauropairc were fighting for third place a long way behind. At twelve hundred metres Charlton lapped all except Borg, who was thirty metres behind. Einisliing with a paralysing sprint, Charlton won by a clear forty metres.

It was amazing to see Charlton reel off three records--the four hundred metres in 310 2 > seconds, the thousand metres in 791) 4-6 seconds, ami the fifteen hundred metres in 1200 3-5 rocs. Equally wonderful was Beaurepnire's third, considering that he first swam in Paris lfi years ago. when Charlton was a baby. The veteran Hatfield was fourth, and the 17-year Japanese Takaishi filth. Charlton’s victory was greeted with ;i tremendous ovation ot sustained cheering. Borg most eoudial.ly congratulated Charlton, who seemed unable to realise that he had broken three records.

CHARLTON INTER AHEAATSD. ’ Charlton, to an interviewer, said that he was determined to make a record. because Tourclls was a standard bath, lie was confident lie could beat Borg, but he was surprised that he won so easily. The Americans showered congratulations on Charlton, their coach remarking: “Here’s to the escaped torpedo.”

After the race, tho Australians shouted: “Hoist that flag!” Tt was officially announced that the ceremony would be on Thursday. An indignant Australian thereupon sought to hoist a private flag. This was. not allowed. Borg stated: “The hoy heat mo easily. He is the best man now.”

Bcaurepairo’s time was bis fastest since he last swam in Paris. CHARUrOX the AYOXDF.RFUL. An American coaching expert, Mr Bachrneh. interviewed by tlie Australian Press Association, described Charlton as “a knock-out.” “the last word!” Perhaps there would never lie such a great swimmer for half a century. Ho thought his effort in his heat was the limit of Charlton’s capabilities nnd it was wanted to impress Borg, hut he was wrong. Mr Bachrneh said he was surprised at Charlton’s stamina. Borg standing alongside, said: “T give up Charlton is a AVorld’s wonder.” Other critics say Charlton is as great a wonder in the water ns Nurmi is on the laud. His action is more like that of a sea lion, than that of a man. Charlton also put up a record for eight hundred metres of 034 seconds. A GREAT MATCH. Charlton and AYeismnller moot in a heat for the hundred metres to-mor-ro". EXCELLENT DTA'IXG. Tlie plain diving final resulted: Eve (Australia) RAJ. points, Jansen (Sweden) 111. Clark (Britain) 16J. Rash (America) 23). The diving points were:—Eve 131, Jansen 141: Clark 14J. Tlie minimum wins. Eve was superior in every test. He made a perfect top-platform dive..*. The crowd were enthusiasm. Steelman, ami the New Zealander, Herd, were easily eliminated in tlie two hundred metres breast stroke. LADIES -inn METRES FINAL. Aliss Shaml was out of form, owing to a cold, ami she retired at three hundred metres in the four hundred metres swim. Herd, tho New Zealander, failed to qualify in the two hundred metres breast stroke swim. His time was 189 seconds.