THE OLYMPIC GAMES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9334, 2 January 1909, Page 2

THE OLYMPIC GAMES.

“AMERICAN CHARGES. . W Numerous groundless charges were made by Americans as to the unfair treatment of American athletes at the Olympic games. In the inquiry into the disqualification of Carpenter for boring in the 400 metres race the following evidence was given;— Dr. Badger, a vice-president of the A. A. A., said I acted as an umpire, ■ and took up a position on the bend just before entering the straight. The position of Robbins at that point was that he was leading and about a yard in front of Carpenter. Robbins and Carpenter were in such a position as to compel Halswell to L ran very wide all round the bend, Band as they swung into the straight BBalswell made a big effort and was HTininghard, but running up the ■Kraight, the further they went the pwider Carpenter went out from the : verge, beeping his. right shoulder . sufficiently in front of Mr Halswell to prevent his passing. When they bad ran 30 yards up the straight Carpenter was about 18 inches ofthe outside edge of the track. I at I -Once ran up the track waving my hands to the judges to break the worsted., ' . „ ~ i a. Rosdoe Badger, Vice-President La.A. I mi- David Basan.— I am a member of the A. A. A. and the London Athletic Club, and I acted as an umpire in the 400 metres flat race final heat. I was standing beside Dr. Badger at the bend the straight. I corroborate the evidence of Dr. Badger in every particular. As the competitors passed me I called £the attention of the next umpire further on to the of the competitors. In my opinion Carpenter wilfully obstructed Halswelh Mr Halswell is not a personal gfriend of mine, and I only know Khim as a competitor. ■ D. Basan. I Mr David Scott-Dunoan.—l am a ■member of the British Olympic ■Council and secretary of the Scottish ■Amateur A. A. I acted as referee in ■the final heat of the 400 metres flat ■race at the Olympic Games. I 'took up my position on the cycle track immediately behind Mr Pennyoook, 1 one of the judges, and opposite the 1 winning post. I watched the race I carefully, and saw that 30 yards * after the start Halswell had been dispossessed of second position by ; Robbins. Swinging into the ■ straight Halsweiycommenced to gain on the two men in front, whereupon Carpenter made straight for the outside edge of the track, while Robbins nipped through on the inside. The boring by Carpenter continued, and the umpires held up their handc bud signalled a foul. The worsted ~wa;l broken, but I do not know bj Vhom. Three of the judges, Messn Parry, Pennyoook, and Fisher, con suited with me, and on the evident i of the umpires the race was declared B void, and the words “No race’ I were signalled on the telegrapl I board and announced by megaphone David Scott-Duncan 1 July 28rd, 1908. We, the undersigned, being judge of the final of the 400 metres, de dare the race void and order same'fr be re-run on Saturday next withon | Carpenter, he being disqualified and further order that the race b . run in strings. Percy L. Fisher W " O. Pennyoook,

V E. W. Parry. I The following alleged conversation appears in a pamphlet published in the United States by a Mr Kirby, who says that the American members of the Oomite d’Honneur, after the finish, went to the entrance of the field, and “not being permitted thereon, sent [for the referee, who considerable time came; then the following conversation took place”: — __ , , American Committee. —We desire to formally protest against your declaring the 400 metres final as no race.” , ■ . The Referee: Your "protest will be noted. - American Committee: In compliance with the rnles we will submitbur protest in writing. ' The Referee: Have tne same sent * v to the secretary. Mr Kirby; We would like to know on just what grounds yon have declared the final as “ no race. * ’ The Referee: It was because Lieut. Halswell was fouled. Mr Kirby: How and by whom?f The Referee: By being elbowed by *ihe American, Carpenter. Mr Kirby: How could that be when Mr Oarjpehter was always leading Lieut. Halswell. The only way for Halswell to be elbowed by was for Halswell to run into Carpenter, and in which case it would be Halswell, and not Carpenter, who fouled. i jThe Referee: X was mistaken, when I* said Carpenter. I meant toother American. i jfr Kirby: Who? 1 or H^^^B^feree: The whife man. i Then,' Mr there may dHBM

The Referee; That is the case. ‘Mr Weeks: Do you not »think, Mr Referee, it would be wise to call your judges together and take and consider testimony before disposing of the American protest? . The Referee: We will do so. Mr Weeks : At once. “And then, for the first time, the judges got together,” continues Mr Kirby. “What testimony they took is not known.” The following letter from the Referee is a complete answer to this bogus interview. In answer to a request from the editor of the Sporting Life, Mr David Scott-Duncan British Olympic Council, hon, secretary of the Scottish Amateur Athletic Association, ’and referee in this race) wrote the following letter, _ which appeared in the Sporting Life for September 30th: Dear Sir: Absence on holiday in North Wales |ias prevented my replying sooner to your letter of the 22ud inst. I shall not attempt to characterise Mr Kirby’s pamphlet, which I return, but shall content myself by saying that I was sole referee of the 400 metres race, that I had no conversation of any kind whatever with any American officials either before or after our decision was arrived at that the race be re run. Yours very truly, David Scott-Duncan. Edinburgh, September 28th, 1908.