The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-07-26

Sheppard Says 'Watch Films And English
 ln Tenth Olynlpics." ,"
2t MELVIN ". SHEPPARD z-rrr1cr Middle Dlstunce Star ana
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Rx MELVIN W. SHEPPARD i. &'S4r1cr Middle Dlstunce Star and
 Olympic Winner
 f(-1nyrighf 1922, NEA Service, Incl
 Xb the length of this series doesn't permit an individual dis tustfon of each event, am forced lo consider the 500 and 1500- meter races together. I do that, perhaps, because In my mind. since 1905 at London, the events have 4|%nvs seemed to be twin races \ ain morally certain. though. that me, coming set of Olympics at Los Anweles will not see an 800" and "15OO" double winner.
 The fields don't seem to shape nD that way, for one thing. An o(ner reason is that the times, es- beciaiiy m the "150O." undoubtedly wifi be faster this year than in my day. That "15O0" of mine was probably the most binding race ever Fran. although far from the fasfest. It was an uneven, 3ockety- for the distance.
 [ see pair of outstanding haif- nailers for the United States-Ben Eastman and Ed Genung. l feel that Eastman, with his record breaking 1:51 3-10 half-mile of the early season, and Genung. the national champion from University of ofNashington who was caught m 1:52 as while winning the title al Lincoln, Neb.. last summer. will take god care of our prestige at 800 meters.
 From Canada.
 Alex Wilson of Canada, if he specializes on this race. or even II he doubles up with the "40O," will be a great threat. The same IS true of Tom Hampson of London who Is the rugged type Of re peater'' demanded by the Olympic SOO-meter heats and final.
 Tn my mind, Hampson. IS the n,af. most likely to dash the United states, hopes. His winning per formance of 1852 2-5 in the British Empire games two years ago was one Sf which even Eastman might have been proud. Such men as R 1T. Thomas of England. Wilson ot Canada, Chandler of South Africa and Edwards of Canada finished behind Hampson that day. Victory in . race like that, against such men. means more to me than mere fast time.
 Phil Edwards turned in 1854 for lfalf-mile early this spring in a relay and may still be the threat he was for Canada in the 1928 Olympic when he finished fourth Looking farther. you find Cyril Ellis of England, whose 2:11 2-1O for 1000 yards is superb; Sera Martin of France, clocked in 1850 6-10s for an 800-meter record in 192s, but who has passed his peak; JoNanneson of Norway, who has done 1855 5-1O; Kraft of Sweden whose best time is 1:55; Beccal of Italy, 1856 2-10, and Paul Kel. fer of France. 1854 or better.
 How these men will react to the climate the track and the com. petition at Los Angeles is, of course impossible to predict. My owr idea is that if any United States runner can beat Hampson of Eng land and Wilson of Canada, we ought to win the race.
 Her Mark?
 Now for the 1900 meters, Gene venzke, of course, comes imme diateiy to your mind, as. to mine The Olympic record is 3:53 1-5 hung up by Harry Larva of Fin. land four years ago. The world record Is 3:51, held by Dr Peitzei of Germany. Venzke's outdoor record is 3:53 6-10. The winner q! Los Angeles, believe, will have tc break the Olympic mark. It will not surprise me to SC the tape Mapped in close to 3:50. And that's running.
 The 1500-meter distance. which is 1e40.435 yards. should suit Ven- zke perfectly. With his perfor- mances of 4:11 2-10 and 4:10 for the mile and 3:53 4-10 for 1500 meters. venzke did the greatest indoor running last winter that have ever seen. He well deserves In the pre-meet dope, to be our standard bearer.
 But the old battle-cry is Look out for the Finns." would add Look out for Thomas of England.' Perhaps it is well for us that Jules Iadoumegue of France is definitely out and that Nurmi has gone up to the longer distances. But Harry Iarva, Eino Purje and Lauri Leh- tinen of Finland Che plans also Ii run the "500") are smost danger ous. I am certain, too, that Thom- as, member of the British Royal Air Force, will be one of the toughest of the lot to beat. He's the greyhound type, wiry and strong.
 Krause of Germany and Ny of Sweden are the other foreigners who have shown up best thus far, but neither, I think, will quite stand up to the blinding pace this field promises. It's long time since we won this 15O0-meter race mot since 1908 when I managed to do it for the United States-but we have a great chance once more and in faster tmie than my old race.
 My serious word to Venzke, Hal lowell. Brocksmith or the others who finally earn their places in the final trials for the United States is this: ''Do not underestimate for an instant the Finnish and British threats"