New Britain herald., 1924-07-02
 
RAY AND NURMI IN
 IMPROMPTU MATCH
American Joie Comes in First.
 Tanks Show Up We'll

Paris, July s,-The Americans and
 Films, chief rivals for tha Olympic
 track and iield honors, met yesterday
 for the first time during the work
 outs at the cOlomhes stadium, and
 mingled in friendly spirit on the
 hattie ground, where they will fight it
 out for the worlds athletic supre.
 macy beginning noA. sunday.
 The largest crowd whlhc has visit.
 cd colombes, including seyera! hun
 drod American enthusiasts, witnessed
 the practice of athlete. Of nearly all
 Of tho two score nations entered in the games. but the principal attention was ccntcrod upon the Films. who had their first workout since their arrival and upon the Americans who showed impressive form in the hardest two hour workout they have had here. Tho Films, whose squad of nearly 60. includes athletes who accounted for nine first place. at the Olympic games four years ago, as well as sev-
 cral now stars, also made q formid- able impression. The critics agreed that the lineups of the rival teams promise the keenest battle for points. All eyes of the observers were turn ed upon Paavo Nurmi, the brilliant and versatile runner, who is entered in six events at distances from 500 to 10000 meters. He was among tho first 10 take the track and he was quickly joined by Joie Ray, the American mile champion. who gave the onookers a thrill by carrying his Finnish rival at fast pace in 1,500 meter workout, which assumed the proportions of an impromptu race.
 JOic Ray "Wins"
 Ray. Under wraps" pulled out from little group of runners, Nurmi responding 10 the challenge, and quickly followed, moving easily with a machine-like, but not as smoothly as the little American. Rounding the last turn they sprinted. Ray keeping two yards ahead to an informal finish and then pulling up, while the Finn kept on for several additional laps.
 meeting of these rivals at their favorite distances of 1,50O meters has been prevented, as Ray is not entered in this distance. but it is likely that they will match strides in the 3000- meter team race, one of the conclud- ing features. It developed that despite the fact that Nurmi made sensational time recently in the S00-meter event, he is not likely to start at this dis tance. The Finnish officials intimated their belief that he had better con- serve his strength principally for the 1 1,500 and 5000 meter race finals, which come the same afternoon. Nurmi has set his heart on triumph ing in these races which, as a result of a special request, have been sepa- rated by nearly three hours from the program, but he also expects to start in the team race at 10000 meters flat. If conditions warrant he will bid for his fifth victory in the cross country race.
 Several Films, who gained fame on \ merican tracks, renewed their ac- 1uantances with veterans of the Tan tee squad. They included viller kyronen, former Millrose A. A. mara .hon runner; Willie Ritola, the pres ent American distance champion, who is entered in five events instead of -our, according to the revised entry nainen, 1920 marathon victory. kolch nainen, 1920 marathon victory. Kolh- who is nearing the end of brilliant career of nearly tWoscore cars of running, may not start in de- ense of his title because of being overweight and leg trouble, but the 'inns are pinning their hopes on A. ;tenroos and kiskenniemi in the kolehmainen, however, ,opes to get into condition, and to trive for another Olympic title with 10 aid of his long experience.