The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-08-06
By ALAN J. GOULD

Amsterdam, Aug. g. up The
} United States has captured the
Olympic track and field champion
ship for the ninth successive time
in SO years, but only at the expense
Of the biggest blow to American loot
racing prestige ever sustained on
an international field. This was al
most the unanimous opinion, even
among Americans themselves. DIS the
blue ribbon features Of the ninth
Olympiad closed with Frances Al
gerian, Ell Ouafi. wearing the mara
thon laurel wreath instead of Joie
Raw. and the bulk of the remaining
running honors divided by Finland
and the British empire.
ONLY the spectacular running of
Raw Barbuti in the 4O0-meter flat
race, in which the Yankees scored
their only individual victory. and
the triumph Of two American teams
in record breaking relays yesterday,
saved the United States from COM
plete rout on the cinder path. The
point margin by which America won
the team title, 1913 to Finland's 1O2,
was gained chiefly on the brilliance
Of the field performers, who won
five events.
Competition Is kcener
keener competition, as evidenced
by the wider distribution Of the chief
honors this time than ever before,
and the failure of many Of the
Americans, such as Lloyd Hahn,
Frank Wykoff and Joie Ray, to re-
gain their home form, all helped to
explain the way the Americans
Jared.
I'VE haven't lot to brag about"
Head Coach Lawson Robertson adj
mitted, after completion Of the eight
day struggle. but, all circum-
stances considered. l think the boys
did well. If you think we are
gloomy, look at the Germans. fig
ured them our strongest rivals. out
side of Finland. but they didn't win
single first place"
Finland retained distance running
supremacy. outside of the marathon;
but two defeats for Paavo Nurmi
and one for Willie Rtola. at a time
when this pair still was believed to
be invincible, ranks as one Of the
games biggest sensations.
Marathon Is Upset
The marathon victory of the AL
gerian Arab. Ell Ouafi, who never
won a big race before in his life.
capped the climax Of succession of
upsets which hit the United States
and Germany, saw champions and
record holders trimmed uncerer.oni-
ously, and developed such new SEN
sations as the urheralded Percy
Williams, double sprint winner. Ell
Ouafi and Miguel Plaza, second place
winner, just happened to hit their
stride at the right moment and run
the favorites ragged, thereby repeat
ing marathon history, which always
has been replete with upsets.
Ray, though beaten, finished as
gamely on his muscle-tightened legs
as he did at Boston several months
ago. His record of finishing third
first and fifth in the only three
competitive marathons of his career
is outstanding.
Only two individual champion:
successfully defended their honors-
Douglas Lowe Of England in the 80t
meters, and Bud Houser Of thu
United States in the discus.
With the track and field compe
tition over, American forces con
centrated their energy for the re
naming week of Olympic sports il
seeking titles in swimming, rowing
and boxing, in which they toppe,
the field in 1924. CALIFORNIA; eight
cared crew and the single scullel
Ken Myers Of Philadelphia, are tn
main rowing hopes.
Borg's time Of 1871 AS not onl
beat the Olympic record set b.
Charlton in winning the champion
ship in 1924 in 2O:26 3/5, but ais
beat his own worlds record o
2O:O4 2/5, made in Budapest in 1872
and accepted by the Internations
Amateur Swimming federation. Thi
is the first time on record that
swimmer has broken 20 minutes 70
1900 meters.
Behind Miss Norelius in secon
place came Miss Braun Of HOLLAND
while the youthful American. il
sephine McKim Of Homestead. Pa
was third.
Miss Norelius' time was announce
% s minutes AZ as seconds. ne,
worlds record.
Andrew Charlton Of Australis
winner Of this championship fou
veorp ago ct Paris, with Borg Z
runner-up. WAS second, and Clal
90 crahbe. AwGieaR from Hone