June of this year was a month of sports in the Republic of China. Primary school students competed for the right to participate in the Asian Little League Baseball Tournament, the winners of which will represent the region in the world championship contest to be held at Williamsport, U.S.A. But the most spectacular event was undoubtedly the 1981 International Friendship Athletic Meet held June 13 at the Taipei Municipal stadium.
Sponsors of the meet were worried over the bad weather caused by a typhoon, but the soaking rains did not dampen the enthusiasm of sports fans. More than 10,000 people gathered at the stadium to watch leading world athletes take part in competition.
The host Republic of China collected 10 gold medals, 14 silver and 15 bronze, while the United States had four gold, two silver and two bronze to set the pace for the meet. More than 100 athletes from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Ireland, Kenya, Korea, New Zealand, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Swaziland, Thailand, the United States, Zimbabwe and the ROC took part. A highlight of the meet was the smashing of the women's 400-meter hurdles Asian Games record by the ROC's Lai Li-chiao with a time of 60.6 seconds.
Thailand won three gold, one silver and one bronze, followed by Denmark with two gold, Australia with one gold, three silver and one bronze, and Guyana with one gold and one silver. Ireland and Austria each had one gold and one bronze, and Greece took one gold and two bronze. Zimbabwe and Canada each had one gold.
Chi Cheng, secretary general of the ROC Track and Field Association, said that the meet was intended to win friendship for the ROC in the international athletics community. A. Paulen, president of the International Amateur Athletic Federation was guest of honor.
In the men's 100-meter dash, Thailand's Sumet Promna finished first with 10.3 seconds, trailed by his fellow countryman Suchart Jaesuraparp with 10.4, and American Bill Green with 10.5
In the 200-meter run, Sumet again won with a time of 21.1 seconds. Green was second (21.2) and the ROC's Huang Sheng-tai third (2l.8). Denmark's Jens Smedegaard won the 400-meter title at 47.3 seconds, Isidro Delprado of the Philippines was second (47.6) and Rod Bethany of the United States was third (47.8). In the 800-meter event, ROC's Wang Yung-hua was first at 1:52.1, Australian Peter Burke was second at 1:53.5, and Belgian Rik Vendenberghe was third at 1:53.8. Jennifer Innis of Guyana captured the women's 100-meter dash at 11.5. Denise Boyd of Australia was second at 11.6, and Usanee Lokpinkarn of Thailand was third at 11.8.
Boyd finished first in the 200-meter run with a time of 23.6, followed by Lydia De Vega of the Philippines at 24.2 and Joeon JoungSik of South Korea at 24.6. Canadian Francine Gendron took first place in the Women's 800-meter run at 2:05.9. In the women's 1,500-meter event, Joan Hansen of the United States was timed at 4:22.2 for first place, and New Zealand's Dianne Roger was second at 4:26.1.
Athletes Compete in the Rain.
Athletes Compete in the Rain.
Athletes Compete in the Rain.
Athletes Compete in the Rain.
Athletes Compete in the Rain.
Athletes Compete in the Rain.
Athletes Compete in the Rain.
Athletes Compete in the Rain.
Athletes Compete in the Rain.
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