Athletics on the agenda at first day of Antwerp Olympics
Antwerp, 16 Aug 1920 – The first full day of the seventh Olympic meeting took place today with athletic events on the agenda.
The javelin throwers began their competition in the stadium at 11am with Finland and the US supplying most of the competitors.
The heats for the 800m provided some excellent racing. Edgar Mountain, from Britain, took the first heat, though his time was not as good as Bevil Rudd’s in the second heat. The South African favourite won easily in 1 minute 55 seconds and will no doubt improve on this time if hard pressed. PJ Baker, Britain, carried off the third heat in 1sec more than Rudd with the American Don Scott close up.
The 100 metres saw no fewer than 12 heats in the preliminary round and by 5 o’clock there were some terrific struggles in the second round. This promises to be a very open event, the times being all in the neighbourhood of 10.8 seconds.
The 400 metres hurdles also provided good sport and the heats and semifinals were tight. Frank Loomis and August Desch, both of the United States should make a close thing of it in the final.
While the weather was everything that could be desired, there was little in the way of spectators throughout the day but organisers hope that attendance will pick up as the games proceed.
[Editor's note: This is an article from Century Ireland, a fortnightly online newspaper, written from the perspective of a journalist 100 years ago, based on news reports of the time.]
