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Show WOMEN "STARS" ON FIELD AND TRACK No doubt nbout It, the feminine side of tho Olympic track and Held competition added a touch to tills great International spectacle that was lacking until the bars were let down at Amsterdam four years ago. Seventeen Sev-enteen countries sent women nthletes to compete In track and field, swimming, swim-ming, fencing and gymnastics nt Los Angeles, and thousands wondered be- fore the games were finished why these modern Amazons have been classified as the weaker sex. China, Turkey nnd India still cloister their womenfolk, but there was a sprinkling of entrants from European countries, nnd Japan marshaled mar-shaled a formidable array for the feminine activities. The United States has lagged In Its development of women's sports, nsido from swim mlng, hut the rise of such a super star ns Mildred Iildrlkson, of IiiiIIhb, Texas, promises to make up fur IohI time. Miss Dldrlkson, who prefers to be called "Babe," qualified to com pete In three track and Held events the 80-meter hurdles, Javelin and discus throws. And yet iherc Is a physical side to the women's track and field competition com-petition nt L03 Angeles which arouses serious doubt as to the wis dom of their participation. Olympic rules are strict, and no alternates are allowed. Thus the three girls chosen In the various events could not be expected to step aside, even though the rules of health and common com-mon sense should dictate their withdrawal. with-drawal. Regardless of the physical side, however, It Is quite clear that women's athletics have come to stay, even though some of us would have It otherwise. Boston Transcript. |