George Hepburn, the old West of Scotland Harrier, has been winning Olympic trials in Canada, and was to take part in the elimination trials, particulars of which will be to hand in a few days. Another old “West”! Harrier, H Green, is said to be on his way from Canada.
–
HM Macintosh who was running in the Scottish championships at Ibrox on Saturday, has been appointed secretary of Cambridge University AC, and in the ordinary course will be President – a distinction which has not been held by many Scotsmen.
–
The Glasgow Police AC are including a race for schoolboys in their programme of the 20th. As their games are not under SAAA rules, boys who compete at this unregistered meeting will for ever be prevented from running at sports under control of the national Association. We feel sure the matter only requires to be brought before the notice of the Police Committee to have the event deleted.
–
Mr Lawrence Gemson will act as hon. secretary at the Ayr United Football and Athletic Club Sports in place of Mr H Murray who has resigned owing to pressure of business. Mr Gemson has been well schooled in the intricate working of the position and should be an admirable successor to men like Mr Gavin Stevenson and Mr Murray. The sports arrangements are well forward and the programme is to be the same as last year’s.
–
Clydesdale Harriers, since they have decided to hold a meeting at Clydebank have received every encouragement from those who control football in that district, and it is just possible that the meeting on Saturday may be the forerunner of a long series of amateur gatherings at Clydebank. Professional sport has had a hold there for years but there is a feeling in favour of a change, and if Clydesdale Harriers succeed in hitting popular taste this week, amateurism will get a footing that the other “ism” will not be able to move. There is great scope for missionary work in and around Clydebank and Clydesdale Harriers therefore will be watched with interest.
–
The London Athletic Club are holding a summer meeting at Stamford Bridge on Monday evening, and no doubt many of those going to the Metropolis for the AAA championships will enter for this function. The open events are 100 metres and 600 metres scratch, 100 yards handicap, two miles handicap, high jump, broad jump and hop, step and jump. There is a 50 yards handicap open to members, and sons and brothers of members under 15 years and a relay race – London AC v The Rest.
–
As far as we can learn TR Nicolson is the only Western amateur who has entered the AAA Championships at Stamford Bridge on Saturday of this week. He will travel South on Friday morning, returning again on Saturday evening so as to catch the steamer on Sunday for the Kyles. Nicolson is a familiar figure at the AAA Championships. His first win was in 1903 with 142′ 7″ and he has the honour four times since – 1904 with 157′ 5 1/2″, 1905 with 155′ 10 1/2″, 1907 with 158′ 9″ and 1909 with 154′ 3″. In 1903 he also won the 16lb weight with 40′ 7 1/2″. Nicolson has held the Scottish hammer continuously since 1902, and the weight he held in 1903, 1904, 1905, 1908 and ever since; he has in fact more championship medals than any amateur in Scotland.
–
We have just heard of a rare example of “old time” graciousness which is a credit to Scottish athletics. Before starting for Australia last year, Quinn of the Bellahouston Harriers, who held the SAAA walking championship for several seasons, sent a letter to the Association stating the great pleasure he had had in competing under their auspices, and thanking them for the many courtesies he had received from the officials and committee from time to time. And what made the communication so touching, was the simple, yet sincere, language in which it was couched. Needless to say the Association replied in language that was equally sincere and and appreciative of Mr Quinn’s disinterested efforts in the cause of amateur sport in Scotland. This is so unusual a proceeding that we think it deserves to be made public as a fine example of the reciprocal good feeling that exists between the Association and its competitors.
–
The Territorial Sports at Parkhead tomorrow evening should be interesting from the point of view of variety, while the friendly rivalry between the different Corps should give a spice of excitement to the proceedings. The “Greys” as they are still called despite modern nomenclature, have been doing a lot of training for the march route, in which it may be remembered they gained a place in the prize list at the Territorial championships in London two years ago. They were beaten by their old friends the London Scottish and, disappointed as they were on that occasion, they would have felt the reverse keener had it been accomplished by any other corps than the London Scottish between whom and “The Greys” there is a long and cherished friendship. Perhaps at Edinburgh next month positions will be reversed. As tomorrow night’s programme is a lengthy one, competitors are requested to be forward in good time. It is the duty not only of loyal Territorials but also patriotic citizens to support this meeting, the objects of which must appeal to all who have the welfare of their country at heart.
–
The Olympic arrangements at Stockholm are well advanced, and it is expected that everything in the stadium will be ready for for the royal visit on Saturday, July 6th, which is to be dedicated to the opening part of the athletics part of the programme, which after all constitutes the prime part of the Games. The order of events is given below and it will be seen that the Swedes have no Sabbatarian prejudices as on July 7th and 14th – both Sundays – there will be no break in the continuity of the proceedings. It is surprising that the Olympic Committee at this end consented to such an arrangement. The English Football Association has set its face against Sunday football on the Continent, and so have the English, Scottish and Welsh Rugby Unions. It is all very well when in Rome to do as the Romans do, but we now for a fact that there is no universal satisfaction to run on a day which Britons hold as sacred. The list is not to be regarded as final in every detail. Second rounds are certain in the 200 and 400 metres and will probably be held on the morning of the finals. It is also probable that the same need will apply in the 800 metres, in which case the final will be carried over to the Monday which, as will be seen from the following, is clear:-
July 6: 100m flat race heats
July6: 800m flat race heats
July 6: 10000m flat race heats
July 6: Throwing the javelin (Best Hand)
July 7: 100m flat race heats
July 7: 800m flat race second round
July 7: 10000m flat race Final
July 7: Running High Jump heats
July 7: Pentathlon
July 8: Relay Race, 400m heats
July 8: Walking Race 10000m heats
July 8: Running High Jump Final
July 8: Standing Broad Jump
July 9: 1500m flat race heats
July 9: 5000m flat race heats
July 9: Relay Race 400m Final
July 9: Throwing the javelin Right and Left Hands
July 10: 200m flat race heats
July 10: 1500m flat race final
July 10: 5000m flat race final
July 10: Pole Jump
July 10: Putting the Weight Best Hand.
July 11 : 200m flat race final
July 11: 100m hurdles race heats
July 11: Walking race 10000m final
July 11: Putting the Weight (right and left hands)
July 12: 400m flat race heats
July 12: Team race, 3000m heats
July 12: 100m hurdle race final
July 12: Running Broad Jump
July 13: 400m flat race final
July 13: Team race 3000m final
July 13: Standing high jump
July 13: Throwing the Discus (right and left hand)
July 14: Marathon Race
July 14: Relay race 1600m heats
July 14: Throwing the Hammer
July 14: Decathlon first day
July 15: Relay Race 1600m final
July 15: Cross-Country Race
July 15: Hop, Step and Jump
July 15: Decathlon second day.