A HISTORIC RACE.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 August 1924, Page 3

A HISTORIC RACE.

OLYMPIC 100 METRES SWUM. BATTLE <‘F the TITANS. BARIS, duly IS. \midst a scene of tremendous enthusiasm. such as has seldom been seen cecn among deinoiitrativo I' reimli crowds. "Boy" ( lull lion t.N'S.W .1 "as narrowly beaten into third place m the 100 metres free style Olympic.swimming race this afternoon. But it wa- in a titauie struggle ol giants, "hen the lii-t three men broke Hie Olympic record, and it was a delea! w'l.ieh only added De-h laurels to Hie young Australian. || i, uas a failure it wa- a glorious •lailme. worthy of the highest, traditions of Australian sports nsliip. 1 lie Stage wa- set at the new Mudo Niiutiqiie des lourctlcn. ’fhe rave atl rai led unprecedented interest, for the swimming series. Despite the threatening clouds every sent was n eupied an hour hclorchanil. Scarcely had the clamour which billowed the entry of the "Old (doiy j„ honour ol America's win in the previous women's relay rare died down, when Charlton, Hatfield (Britain), \kc Bui" (Sweden). Arne Borg (Sweden!. and J - Weismuller (America) .stepped on to the concrete slutting iilnitorm. NUUK AND isr;CK. They were immediately the cynosure ~f all eyes. While the chattering skiill- , anp.-'il Ur, ne)i officials darted hither and thither adjusting Charlton in a vivid blue (lowered dressing gown, i.iiu-ehalaiitly talked to Halliehi. Mr <>. G. Merrett (Australian team mauagei > anil others. 'H„. crowd was 011 tip-tor "Oh ~N ’" Ici tation wlien. someone's hut Blew into the pool. 'lbis relieved the tell-

smn. • Alio, alio.” rasped ill.' loud speaker anil silence followed. Then the starter iiimelcd Ids pistol, •‘llano!” ami the liv,- simultaneous splashes announced the start. Arne Born. waiminmo st romd.v. made the pace for the first "ill Jiietres. tullowed closely l.y Charlton ami Wei5,,,,,11.-,. ~,,,11.-,. Cliariion was eoii.o easily, ami let the others lead him half a Iciijitli ahead. Weismuller raced Meek and neck with lloro. and then lo'.ocd ahead. He touched the 100 metres first in I min I 1-1 see. He kept Ids advantage. and was strenuously eneotlraced |,v American cries of "Come on, come <>u .lohnny." Weismuller led down the hath the I third time. ('online to the 200 mark with a sip feme elfort touched the "odtfe first. 'l'lieii came Weismuller, ami then Charlton a length nway. Progress time: ‘indu ‘-Msec. Obviously Charlton was holding a sport in hand, lie "ns calm amid the cheers of the crowd, who were now all stamliuo up wavino sticks, hats ami uiuhrellas. There was a halad of yells of all nationalities when Charlton was seen to he oaiidno slowly, oradually letting • himself mi. THKU.IdNC t'INISH. Amid a confused and unparalleled demonstration, the loud speaker annouueino the last lap could not be heard. .The leaders were almost i another, the arms of the three dartinir splashes up the hath. In fast time t hnrltnn was making cnmiid at every stroke, overhauling the loaders. But he left his final superspurt too late. While the Americans fairly kissed each other. Weismuller touched the tinislr one second ahead ot Arne llorir. C'harltou was just behind, j The other lompetitors wore nowheie. Scarcely a length separated the lead-

Momentarily the crowd was hushed. It gasped at tho wonderful finish, and then came an outburst of cheering. Charlton had left his spurt too late, misjudging his competitors, and he failed l>eoau«e of that. Cooees signalled his striking performance. , BONG’S STONY. LONDON, duly dS. Arne Borg told n graphic story ol the 100 metres final to the specia representative of “The Stin.M

“Charlton is not as fast as me,” said tho Swede, “hut at 200 metres wo saw that we must get right out—else it was good-bye. So I got; hut Charlton—he is wonderful. “I turn in Inst oO metres a long way ahead. I look over by shoulder, and. gee, see a green cap. My heart almost stop. “I swim like hell, afraid he lieat both of ns. Yes, 110 is a marvel, for he gave us nearly 10 yards start in the last 300 metres and nearly caught ns."