AAU Disputes Foot Props

The use of the new Nicholson's starting blocks in world record track competition is disputed by the A. A. U. in 1929.

Note: Reprint of an article written by Special Correspondent, Lawrence Perry, that

appeared in the Glendale News-Press Newspaper early June 12, 1929:

A. A. U. MAY RULE

AGAINST BRACERS

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International Sanction Not

Yet Procured For New

Track Innovations

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By LAWRENCE PERRY

Special Correspondent of the Glendale

News-Press - Copyright, 1929

NEW YORK, June 12 (1929) -- It is difficult to be patient with the National Collegiate A. A. officials for permitting George Simpson to us the Nicholson starting blocks in the 100-yard event (in Chicago) in which he did 9.4 on Saturday (June 8, 1929).

Two weeks ago the writer in many newspapers throughout the middle west as well as elsewhere throughout the country, set forth the A. A. U. attitude toward the blocks. It was fair enough. The blocks would have to be sanctioned not only by the A. A. U. at its next annual convention in November but in the interests of having world's records approved would also have to be approved by the International Federation.

WON'T ACCEPT INVENTION

For it is perfectly obvious that no international body is going to accept an American invention or a device wherever effected without all due scrutiny. The main object of the International Federation is to standardize the conditions in all track and field events and naturally the A. A. U. is cooperating in this.

The National Collegiate A. A. had approved the Nicholson blocks the day before the Chicago meet, and so far as this body is concerned the action was perfectly proper; if the N. C. A. A. wishes to be independent and to create conditions peculiar to itself it is the business of that organization alone.

MAKES MARKS VOID

But it does a grievous injustice to athletes when it fails to recognize that any independent conditions it may adopt -- as for instance the starting blocks -- may, if used, render negative a world-beating effort much as (George) Simpson turned in at Stagg Field. One can be independent, but it is carrying independence to the point of folly when you fly in the ace of the world.

Simpson, of course, was at fault, too. He is a collegian, a young man of intelligence. Did he not know that in using a device yet to be sanctioned by what may be termed the world track and field court he was running an undoubted risk of having anything he did in the way of a record not officially recognized outside the N. C. A. A.?

RECORD MAY COUNT

Should the A. A. U. at its annual convention decide that the foot blocks, without springs, which Simpson used, are perfectly proper and submit this finding to the international federation with its approval, and, in turn, should the international body agree in such decision, then Simpson's record, the writer is authoritatively advised, would be sanctioned. Otherwise, it will not be, and Simpson will have such satisfaction as he can get out of the fact that his great performance stands as a world's record in the books of the National Collegiate A. A. and nowhere else.

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NOW I'LL TELL ONE

By DON

Clip this out and put it in your hatband -- the A. A. U. will never recognize George Simpson's 9 2-5 seconds century

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While there is little doubt that the Ohio State flyer ran the distance in that time, he used foot starting blocks. It's almost a safe gamble that they will be ruled "mechanical aids." And why now, pray?

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When such a sprinter as Claude Bracey gives as his alibi that he was "unused to blocks and the additional impetus pushed him so far forward he almost fell" -- well when that is the case it is reasonable to assume that when a sprinter becomes accustomed to the blocks he gets an additional boost on his start.

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It is horrible to contemplate what the eastern scribes would have said if Frank Wykoff -- or any other western sprinter -- had done the same thing in the Coliseum. The writers back east would have broken at least seven keys on their typewriters pounding out nasty cracks about our timers.

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For years they have accused out watches of receiving an "additional impetus" from our climate. But they aren't questioning their own watches at Chicago -- neither are we. But what a hullabaloo would have been raised had we tried to get a record recognized after using starting blocks.

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It wasn't until two days after the meet that the chroniclers of the meet let it out of the bag that Simpson used blocks. No doubt, Simpson is a marvelous runner but since discovering that he was using the old foot props Glendale fans are beginning to like Wykoff's chances again.

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On the same day that Simpson ran his marvelous race on a perfect track with the aid of foot blocks, Wykoff was turning out a 9 3-5 century himself on a track that is merely a raked stretch of adobe without much spring to it. And the Glendale Greyhound didn't use foot blocks.

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I agree with a lot of other people -- I, don't think records made with the aid of foot blocks, or any other kind of blocks, should be allowed to stand. Certain improvements are bound to come to track -- but let them be improvements in technique and training -- not in trying to find self-starters and superchargers which will act like a shot of dope shoved into the veins of a race horse.

1928

Track & Field

1936

1932

Summer Olympics