The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1960-05-27

Records were made to be broken.
This old saying certainly applies to track and
field events which, Incidentally, we're held in ancient
Greece even before GORGEOUS of Ellis won the first
OLYMPIC championship in 776 &c, when he out
legged a squad of 2OOyard dashmen at Olympia.
THIS COMING MONDAY, WHEN the fifth an
nual Diocesan Invitational Track and Field Meet will
be held, new meet records are certain to be written IN
the books.
Only last year, six meet records were set in the
high school division and a seventh equalled. In fact,
none of the marks established in 1856, when the meet
was revived after a long interval, still exist.
Even in the grade school division, records aren't
safe. Only one 1856 mark still stands in this section OF
the meet.
Only this week, Diocesan cindermen were busy
breaking records in various meets.
MOVING INTO THE ARENA of national and in
ternational sports, records are being snapped with
regularity. Last month, Parry OBrlens lengthy reign
as the shotput king was assaulted on all sides. At Tenn
pc, Ariz., Dave Davis heaved the %16-pound steel ball
So feet 1912 inches-6h inches better than O'Brien's
recognized world mark.
Fifteen minutes later, Davis saw his heave better
ed by Bill Nieder, who hurled the shot 81 feet 6H2 IN
ches. One week later, Bill Nieder fired it IS feet z in
ches. And even this latter record isn't considered safe.
A AGO, THE M MILE seemed
unattainable. This myth was broken suddenly In 1854
by DR.. Roger Bannister of England with a time OF
1884. About a year ago, five men cracked the four
minute mark in a single race.
Even as this piece is being composed, an annour1-
cement has come over the radio that John Thomas has
broken the worlds high jump mark with a leap OF Z
feet ia inches. They once said that no one will high
Jump more than z feet.
According to sports historians of Bulova Time
Center, participants in major meets in England had to
meet these minimum standards in 1884: 440-yard dash,
l minute; mile run, 5 minutes; Emile run, 10 minutes;
broad Jump, 20 feet, and high jump, 5 feet 6 inches.
In contrast, athletes today must meet these mini
mum marks in comparable events to compete in the
1860 Olympics at Rome: 440-yard dash, Ats; mile run,
4:02; Smile run, 13:45; broad jump, "a feet TIA inches,
and high Jump, 6 feet 8M inches.
OTHER olympic FOR q%ualifica-
tons: 100 meters, 1914 or 100 yards, 95; 200 meters,
21.3 or 22O yards, ala; 800 meters, 1892 or $50
yards, 1893; 10000 meters 29.40 or 6 miles, 28.5O;
ITO meters or 100 yards high hurdles, 144; 400 meters
hurdles, 59.2 or 440 yards hurdles, 52.5; 5000 meters
steeplechase, 1855.
Pole vault, IA feet 5H inches; hop, step and Jump,
81 feet 2 inches; shotput, SIS feet ga inches; discus,
ITO feet 10K inches; hammer throw, 2O3 feet 5 inches,
and javelin, 251 feet.
The reader can see that it takes a real champion
to even get into the Olympics. Actually, each country
can submit one entry per individual event without
meeting these standards. However, if two or the max
imum entries are submitted all have to meet the
standards of that particular event in which they are
competing.
Getting back to the topic of records, how can we
explain the constant f~racturing of records?
ACTUALLY, THE ANSWER ISN'T difficult to
find. Today's athletes are better conditioned. They are
better conditioned because they have better training
drills and Well-balanced diets. In addition, they have
better equipment.
How long will records continue to be broken? 1t
would be foolish to say never, even though there is a
limit to human endurance and ability. At one time,
they said the four-minute mile would never be broken.
Herb Elliott Of Australia has run it in 3:54.5. Now
they're talking about a $50 mile.