GONE WITH THE WIND FOR LAVERY
The South African hurdler’s performance at the 1938 Games in Sydney should have rewritten the record books, except for one very adamant referee’s opinion
TOM Lavery stunned the athletics community with a blistering hurdles race at the Sydney Games of 1938 that set a world record.
But it was not to be. Lavery was a man of few words but his humble nature did not win him any favours from a race referee who denied him his world record prize, although he did collect British Empire Games gold.
Without checking wind monitors or discussing his decision with other senior officials, the referee decided Lavery’s hurdles victory had been wind assisted so denied him the record – enraging team coaches and the press.
Officials did not reveal the decision publicly in the stadium at the time, which according to one newspaper report was just as well. Once it was reported, loud condemnations echoed in the columns of newspapers for weeks.
After having set a time of 14 seconds in the men’s 120 yards hurdles on the final day of competition, the Scottish-born South African athlete approached the microphone set up on the winner’s podium and told the crowd of 40,000: “I have trained hard and come a long way to do this. I am very proud to have done it on the Sydney Cricket Ground.
“I have nothing more to say. I would much rather go over a few ‘sticks’ than talk to you people, so all I can say is thank you.’’
Soon after that his 14s world record was denied.
This was even though three official stop watches had clocked him at that time.
Two others indicated he had run even faster. And observers insisted the breeze had crossed the track and had not come from behind.
But newspapers reported the race referee stuck to his guns, claiming wind assistance.
When it was made public, the decision caused an uproar.
The Sydney Sun of February 12, 1938, reported: “The referee, Mr G. Langford, rules that the competitors in the men’s and women’s hurdles were assisted by the wind.
“Lavery was besieged by friends and press photographers. Representatives of other teams also were eager to congratulate him. Lavery waved his arms and gestured a handshake to the crowd.’’
The Sydney Morning Herald was less charitable about the referee.
“Four of the watches showed 14 seconds and the remaining two were a fraction under that time,” it reported.
“Fortunately, for the peace of the gathering, the news that followed was not given to the public, otherwise the applause for Lavery would have been turned to a tumultuous demonstration of hostility, such as had never been heard on the Sydney Cricket Ground, and would have been the one dark spot on one of the greatest contests between world-famous athletes on record.
“The referee, Mr G.E. Langford,
of Victoria, quietly informed a few officials, who later communicated it to press representatives, that he would not endorse the record as the wind assisted the hurdlers.
“Before the start the newspaper experts at the finishing line discussed the breeze. It was a mild one from the north, and the flags in the centre and around the arena hung limply.
“But the important feature was that the breeze passed directly across the competitors, who were travelling from east to west, and could not have
been behind them.’’
The paper reported a Herald representative asked Mr Langford for a statement.
The reply was: “The wind assisted the runners and the record cannot be passed.”
The paper asked where the wind came from. “I do not know,’’ replied the referee.
“Was it a northerly breeze or was it from the north-east?’’ the reporter asked.
“I cannot say but I know it assisted them because it was behind them. It touched them, on the shoulders.’’
English team manager and British Empire Games Federation secretary Evan Hunter demanded to know where the wind gauge was.
“This instrument should have been on the ground. It should not be left to the referee to decide on his own responsibility. I cannot see the reason of it,’’ he said.
South African team manager Mr I.G. Emery said he was astounded to hear of the referee’s ruling that Lavery was assisted by the wind.
“It will be a miscarriage of
I WAS ON THE ARENA AND IT APPEARED TO ME THAT LAVERY WAS NOT AIDED BY THE WIND WHICH WAS DEFINITELY A CROSS WIND TEAM MANAGER I.G. EMERY
justice if this record is not recognised,’’ he said. “We are all bitterly disappointed at the turn of events and our feelings are shared by other visiting athletes and officials.
“I was on the arena and it appeared to me that Lavery was not aided by the wind which was definitely a cross wind. In any case, surely it is absurd to leave such an important decision to one man who made up his mind without the help of a wind gauge.’’
Lavery’s events in Sydney had included the 100 yards, in
which he finished fourth.
Lavery won bronze in the hurdles at the Auckland Games 12 years later but according to reports, including a feature in the Gold Coast Bulletin in 1981 in the lead-up to Brisbane’s Commonwealth Games, he was lucky to do so because of a problem with his running shorts.
Observers noted he seemed to pop a button at the start and every time he jumped a hurdle, had to yank his pants back up. It was e a struggle to finish the race, let alone come third.
His athletics career also included competing at the Berlin Olympics in 1936, where he was eliminated in the semi-finals of the hurdles.
Lavery also competed in the South African 4x100m relay team in Berlin.
The South Africans were knocked out in the first round and the relay final was eventually won by the US team, which included the remarkable Jesse Owens who won four track and field gold medals.
Reports published in 1938 said Lavery learned a lot from watching the US athletes in Berlin. He adjusted his style – and the result was his hurdles win at the Sydney Games, even though he was denied his world record.
Lavery, who was born on December 18, 1911, died in South Africa on February 7, 1987, aged 75.