Olympic Cavalcade

_2IO OLYMPIC CAVALCADE by A. Bubenko, Latvia, J. Stork, Czecho_slovakia, E. Brunn, Norway, F. Bleiweiss, Germany, and K. Eeiniger, Switzerland; France, Poland, Holland, Sweden and Italy were also represented in the first dozen places: It is only fair to the Britishers to state that during the first w,ooo metres they were well up the field; but sickness overtook them. This, it was said, was due to ari unsuitable meal ·eaten prior to the contest. This may well be true, for Whitlock was overtaken in the same manner at the crucial stage of the race, but fought his affiiction ~and held on grimly to win. - In the 200 metres semi-finals Mack Robinson, son of the famous coloured University Football Coach of Brown University, U.S.A., turned in 2I'I secs. to beat Tolan's 1932 Olympic record by a tenth. Owens did the same and later won the final in 20·7 secs. from Robinson and M. B. Osendarp, Hol– -lana. Meanwhile, the ~ole Vault was hel_d up on account ofheavy rain a-nd it was late at night and by floodlight that Earle Meadows, U.S.A., won at 14ft. 3iin. . from E. Oe and S. Nishida, both ofJapan, and his heavenly twin, W. H. Sefton, U.S.A., who with the two Japanese cleared 13ft. n! in. There -.;yas, none the less, much satisfaction in that event for Great Britain, for Webster, who, while still at school, had vaulted 12ft. and held the English record of 12 fi. 9! in., vaulted 13 ft. ri Fn. for equal 6th place. It b-egan to look ?S though British athletes and officials were at long last beginning to take an intelligent interest in field events_.. There was further definite proof, !O be amplified _later on, that Japan had now beeome a strong fore~ to reckon with, not only in the water, but also in every brapch-of track and field athletics. _ The uo metfesBurdles trials might well ~ve produced a major disaster, for D.S.A. Forresf ['owns,.the outstanding star, sfumbleCl between thi -second and third flights ~n the first semi-final, but won in strong style frDm E. H. Lidman, Sweden, and the late J. St. L. Thor:nton, C.U.A.C. and Great Britain, _who was "killed subpequently in the -recent >War. In file second semi– nna D. o·. Finlay, R.A.F. and G.B., won in q·5 ~ secs. from F. D. Pollard, u :s.A., and_L.-G. O'Connor, Canada.Towns'timdorhisheatwas -14·I secs., which constituted_a new World's and Olympic record. He won the Final subsequently ih r-4·2 secs. ~ _ - . - • There was a c~rious problem abou~fhe finish. For the first nine flights Finlay and Pollard hurdled level. .Then _the Negro, forging_ahead, allowed an all-too-narrow clearance margin, hit_his last hurdle and stumbled. I~· a flash Finlay was on to him and they seemed to go ·over the finishing hne ~ together. But just as Finlay had been awarded the 3rd place at Los Angei:s ~on ph_otographic evidem:e, so he now gained the 2nd place medal. H: ts now a Wing Commander approaching 40 yea.rs of age and still competmg in first-class company. He and Pollard were both credited wit;ll 14·4 secs. at Berlin. Finl_ay is almost certain of selection for the London Olympiad of tills year. Is it too much to hope_that his progress may still continue and that he will mast-head the Union Flag of Great Britain at W ~mbley? . Directly _Owens had wo~ tbe 200 metres in new W0rld record t1me,