Evening star., 1928-08-03

BY the Associated Press.
OLYMPIC STADIUM. AMSTER-
DAM, August 3.-Ray Barbuti brought
the United States its first running track
victory of the Olympic games by win
ming the 400-meter championship to-
day.
Big Barbuti, former Syracuse Univer-
sity foot ball star, scored in brilliant
style over field of the greatest quar-
ter milers in the world.
His victory saved the United States
from utter rout in the track events, as
this was the last of the Olympic cinder
path races with the exception of the
relays.
Barbutis time was AZ As seconds.
which is within is second of the
Olympic record.
Finland started the day with another
impressive victory, Willie Ritola carry
ing off the 5,000-meter crown, with his
teammate and rival, paavo Nurmi, sec
ond, and the only American to finish,
Leo Lermond, fourth.
'Barbuti's victory was the sixth mems
championship won for the United
States thus far in the games, but 1t was
the most welcome of all, as the other
five titles were gained in the field
events, while foreign footracers ran
away with all the cinder-path laurels
IN sight.
Coilapses at End.
Herman Phillips of the Illinois Ath-
letic Club, the second American to
reach the final, also placed among the
point winners, in the 400 meters, fin
ishing sixth.
The American barely withstood ter
rife closing drive TO beat James Ball Of
Canada by inches and collapsed after
scoring his victory.
Barbuti giving every ounce Of energy
and heart, raced into the stretch with
the lead, having passed the two Ger
mans, Buechner and Storz, but began
TO falter with the tape in sight He
fought his way forward as Ball rushed
up gaining at every stride. The Amer
lean barely got to the tape first. Fall
ing forward full length on the track.
Barbuti drew the pole position, while
Phillips was far outside. Phillips was
off in fiashy style and led at the half
way point with Barhuti running easily.
The German favorite, Joachim Buch-
ner made his bid around the last turn
and moved out. followed by his country
man. Harry Storz
Barbuti, picking up. gained rapidly
and had clear four yards with so
meters to go, the Canadian, Ball. timed
his spring too late and failed by less
than foot to catch the American, who
fought to the finish courageously.
Although Phillips brought the United
States point he finished last as the
field numbered but six. He weakened
somewhat after setting killing pace.
Americans Go wild.
The American contingent, which has
been sitting gloomily for five days. went
wild as the big ex-SyracuSan won this
event for America for the first time
since 1912. Picked up after his great
finish, Barbuti staggered drunkenly for
a few moments, but revived quickly
enough to respond To cheers and jog
off the field.
The order of finish in this great race
was: Barbuti, u. s.; Ball. Canada:
Buchner, Germany; Rinkel. Britain
Storz Germany. and Phillips, U. s.
The Olympic record, which Barbuti
Just fell short of equaling. was Al 3-5,
set by Eric Lddell of Great Britain in
winning the event in Paris, in 1924
Strangely enough the last American
to win the classic 400 at the Olympics
was a product OF the same New York
State institution, Syracuse University,
Charley Reidpath won at Stockholm in
1912. Since then the championship has
gone TO South Africa and Great Britain.
With the single exception OF Liddeps
great run. Barbuti's was the fastest
400 meters In Olympic history.
Barbutis right side, elbow and leg
we're scraped and bruised by his fall.
Dr. j. H. Larson, the teams physician,
declared the injury was only superficial,
although the elbow appeared TO be
slightly twisted.
Barbuti In the center of an excited
and happy group of American officials
In the dressing room, smiled as the
trainer, Peter Poole, attended TO his
bruises and skin torn In his headlong
finishing dive.
Took Early Lead.
II wanted to see the Stars and
Stripes go up that middle pole so bad
felt like going out and raising IT. my
| self" Barbuti declared. TO which Head
| Coach Lawson Robertson replied:
you did"
Barbuti said he changed his usual
tactics OF getting the lead as soon as
possible and holding 1t instead of run
ming risks In trying TO come from be"
| hind
II never noticed the other runners
after the start" said Barhuti Il heard
them. but all kept thinking was, Run.
kid run
Il don't remember anything of the
last 100 meters except mad desire 10
| get 10 that tape. r seemed a mile off
when guess was only 90 meters from
! 1t hope my folks know about It,"
Douglas Lowe of England who won
the 800-meter championship. was among