It Happened At The Games

WHEN competitors in the 10,000 metres loped off on the long haul, little Tangiia from the Cook Islands brought up the rear. He was still there when the others finished the course. Lesser men would have fallen out, but Tangiia kept stolidly on with unchanging pace and expression. Encouraging applause enlarged to a gigantic roar when he entered the final straight and burst surprisingly into a terrific sprint that jet-propelled him to the finishing line. * * * Taleuati of America Samoa brought an element of humour into the women’s high jump. Time after time she carried the bar into the saw dust, only to rise perkily from the depths, festooned in the shavings that filled her long hair like confetti, and smiling a little self-consciously at the delighted crowd. * * * Losing heavily towards the end of a rugby battle against Tonga, West Samoan Keli disgustedly removed boots and socks and left them in midfield. Such untidyness pricked the conscience of winger Fa’apoli who removed them to the sideline while the game continued. But Keli justified his action almost immediately by intercepting the ball in his own 25. With the whole Tongan team at his bare heels he took off for the far line in a terrific race that brought the house down—and pro duced a try. * * * Goalie Baffin, of French Polynesia, was so overcome by his team’s close defeat in soccer by New Caledonia, he burst into tears during a radio interview at the close of the game. * * ♦ Men’s basketball fans made a great favourite of New Guinea’s small Tovea. Labelled “ midnight” by them, his beaming, long-armed, rubber legged sorties into opposition territory rarely failed to produce shrieks of encouragement —and valuable points also.