Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-07-11
Bowdoin's Noted Weight Star
Captures Hammer Threw by
Wide Margin - California
High School Boy Wins Pole
Vault - Nurmi, Great Dis
lance Runner of Finland,
Victor in 1900 and 5000 Me-
tire Events

Olympic Stadium, Colomb hes.
France. July 10.-(By A. P.)-
Within two. hours. this afternoon
Paavo Nurmi. Finland's great dis
lance runner, raced to spectacular
victories in the 1.500 and 5000 metre
events. breaking the olympic records
at both distances and winning an
olympic triumph such as no individ-
ual has ever achieved before.
Nurmi captured the 1900 metre
run against a fine field in minutes
So 3-5 seconds. chipping off 3 1-5
seconds from the old record. but
failing by 2-5 of a second to equal
his own world record. He won the
5000 metres from his fellow coun-
tryman, Willie Ritola, in IA minutes
IL 1-5 seconds, beating both the
olympic and the world record by
several seconds. a
But even this super triumph OF
Finland's greatest ace could not
check the onward march of the
United States. for the Americans
demonstrated vast superiority in the
pole vault and hammer throw, the
remaining finals of the fifth day OF
ened their mounting point lead over
the rival Scandinavian nation in the
duel for international supremacy. 4
The glory which went in double
measure TO Nurmi was also shared
for the day by two young Ameri-
cans, Fred Tootell, Boston A. A, who
captured the hammer throw by o
decisive margin from his country
man, Matt J. McGrath. New York
A. c. veteran of four olympics, and
Lee Barnes. the seventeen year old
California high school boy, who won
the pole vault laurels in the jump
off with his coast rival, Glenn Ora
ham, after they had tied for first
place at height of 3.95 metres (12
feet IL IL inches), which equailed
the olympic record.
Another hero sprang to the front
in Joseph Imbach, Swiss whirlwind.
who won his heat in the second
trials of the 400 metre run in the
| world record time of 4S seconds.
A crowd of nearly $4,000. the
largest since the opening day. as
sembled.
Ray Watson, the American star
provided the chief thrill in the 15OH
metre race when he stuck gamely
to the heels of the flying Finn until
800 metres from the tape. But Watt
son wilted SO badly near the end
that he was unplaced.
Nurmi slowed up crossing the line,
looking over his shoulder at Scharer,
another Swiss star, who came from
the ruck to take place in the last
few strides from Stallard, Great
| Britain, who collapsed at the tape
just as his team mate, Lowe, the 500
metre winner, came through to cap
ture fourth place from the pair of
Americans. Ray Buker and Lloyd
Hahn.
The 5000 metre run was three
cornered affair for nearly two thirds
of the distance, with Elvin Wide, the
Swede. keeping pace with Nurmi
and Ritola.
But through the final stages the
two Films fought it out alone, while
Wide, thoroughly beaten, was lucky
to save third place from the brilli-
ant closing rush of the American,
John Rommig. who conquered Sipi-
la, another Finn, for fourth place.
and gave the best distance running
performance any American has yet
shown.
With three days left. the United
States holds the formidable total of
176 IL points to 103 for Finland.
Great Britain is third with 40 IL,
and Sweden fourth with "A IL.
These are the outstanding competi-
tors among the dozen who have been
ood In sivfeou 6naIS en- far