During the 1913 International Tournament, the “Slavs vs. everyone else” mentality became further entrenched. The Slovenians and the Czechs felt disadvantaged because they were outnumbered on the judging panels. Plus, the text of the compulsory routine on rings changed, and the two Slavic teams were not notified of the change. Nevertheless, the Czech team won its third team title, defeating the French once again.
It’s unclear how diligent the judges were. Reportedly, one judge didn’t even watch some of the routines.
1913 also marks the (temporary) simplification of the scoring system. In Paris, all scores were out of a 10.0. Previously, the apparatus events were out of a 12.0 at the International Tournament, with 1 point for the mount, another point for the dismount, and 10 points for the routine.
Similarly, the track and field events were also out of 10 points in 1913. Previously, the scoring system had been ever-changing at the International Tournament: 10 points in 1903, 20 points in 1905 and 1907, 15 points in 1909 and 1911.
(Don’t worry, the scoring system would become complicated once again.)
The Events | Results | The Perfect Scores | Judging Assignments | How Was the Judging? | Competition Commentary | The 1913 FIG Congress | Appendix A: The Athletics Scoring Tables | Appendix B: Complete Scores
The Events
Held on November 16, 1913, in conjunction with the 40th Anniversary of the Union des Sociétés de Gymnastique de France, the International Tournament consisted of:
Ensemble Routines:
- 3 compulsory floor/calisthenics routines (without portable hand apparatus)
Compulsory Routines:
- Pommel Horse
- Rings
- Parallel Bars
- High Bar
Optional Routines:
- Pommel Horse
- Rings
- Parallel Bars
- High Bar
Track and field
- 100m
- 0.5 point: 15 seconds
- 10 points: 12 seconds
- Long jump with a tremplin dur
- 0.5 point: 3.50 m (11’5.8”)
- 10 points: 5.50 m (18’0.5”)
Note: In case you’re wondering how this compares to the top track and field athletes of the time, Albert Gutterson jumped 7.60 m at the 1912 Olympics during the track and field competition, and Ralph Craig won the 100 m with a time of 10.8 seconds.
Other
- Lifting a 40kg dumbbell 10x
- 1 point per successful lift
- 8m rope climb
- 0.5 point: 12 seconds
- 10 points: 9 seconds
Change in Format
The teams could have one or two substitutes competing alongside the six-member team.
In the rules, a common-sense innovation improved the position of teams in relation to substitutes who, previously, were only eligible at the start of the contest. — From now on, any federation could line up, with its 6 team members, one or two substitutes participating in all the events, and in the event of the abandonment of one or two effective gymnasts, the first or the two reserve members automatically replace them with the total of their points. (Subsequently, this provision was amended several times, before arriving at the current form.)
Olympische Turnkunst, August 1967
Au règlement, une innovation de bon sens améliora la situation des équipes par rapport aux remplaçants qui, antiérieurement, nétaient admissibles qu’au début du concours. — Dorénavant, toute fédération pouvait aligner, avec ses 6 équipiers, un ou deux suppléants participant à toutes les épreuves, et en cas d’abandon d’un ou de deux gymnastes effectifs, le premier ou les deux réservistes les remplaçant automatiquement avec la totalité de leurs points. (Par la suite, cette disposition fut amendée encore à plusieurs reprises, avant d’arriver à la formale actuelle.)
Results
As we saw in 1911, Italy excelled on the apparatus routines but struggled in the athletics portion of the competition.
| Czech | France | Italy | Belgium | Slovenian | Luxembourg | |
| Prelim. Exercises | 170.00 | 161.50 | 151.75 | 158.75 | 169.00 | 151.50 |
| Parallel Bars | 108.75 | 109.75 | 115.75 | 100.25 | 96.00 | 109.25 |
| High Bar | 115.00 | 107.00 | 97.75 | 110.25 | 108.00 | 95.75 |
| Pommel Horse | 108.75 | 108.75 | 110.25 | 101.25 | 90.00 | 84.25 |
| Rings | 99.75 | 107.75 | 114.25 | 103.00 | 95.00 | 102.00 |
| Long Jump | 48.25 | 42.00 | 50.50 | 25.50 | 31.25 | 27.75 |
| Rope Climb | 53.00 | 41.00 | 31.50 | 34.50 | 30.50 | 12.50 |
| Weights | 58.25 | 58.00 | 60.00 | 59.50 | 58.50 | 59.75 |
| 100 m | 33.00 | 32.50 | 31.00 | 21.00 | 12.50 | 16.50 |
| Behavior | 9.75 | 9.50 | 9.50 | 9.25 | 9.75 | 9 |
| Total | 804.50 | 777.75 | 772.25 | 723.25 | 706.50 | 668.25 |
To see the full individual results, jump to the bottom of the page.
So, if you’re keeping track of the results…
| 1903 | 1905 | 1907 | 1909 | 1911 | 1913 | |
| 1st | France | France | Czech Sokols | France | Czech Sokols | Czech Sokols |
| 2nd | Belgium | Netherlands | France | Czech Sokols | France | France |
| 3rd | Luxembourg | Belgium | Belgium | Italy | Italy | Italy |
| 4th | Netherlands | Luxembourg | Luxembourg | Belgium | Slovenian Sokols | Belgium |
| 5th | Slovenian Sokols | Slovenian Sokols | Luxembourg | Slovenian Sokols | ||
| 6th | Hungary | Luxembourg | Belgium | Luxembourg | ||
| 7th | Croatian | |||||
| 8th | Romania |
Note: The Slovenian Sokols had to compete without one of their best gymnasts, who fell from high bar during a trial competition.
There was, moreover, a considerable accident; brother Pogačnik was injured in a fall from high bar. We had hoped that he would improve by the match in Paris, but it turned out that he could not compete.
Slovenski Sokol, 1913, 11
Zgodila se je poleg tega občutna nesreča; pri padcu z droga se je poškodoval brat Pogačnik. Upali sm o sicer, da se do tekme v Parizu že popravi, vendar se je tam pokazalo, da mu ni mogoče tekmovati.
Nevertheless, the Slovenians felt that they did well, despite being a small nation with fewer people.
Of the sixteen nations that are members of the International Gymnastics Federation, 6 of them were able to place themselves in this competition, which required the most difficult requirements so far in terms of perfection. And among these was the Slovenian Sokolska Zveza as a representative of a nation insignificant against those who surpassed it in the match. The larger the nation, the greater the number of members involved in the exercise; then the choice of those individual forces that are eligible for such a match is all the greater with the same force of national health seen in his gymnastic organization. Thus, the French type represented the gymnastics organization of a nation of 40 million, the Italian 34 million, the Czech 9 million, the Belgian two and a half million, while the Slovenes only one and a half million.
Slovenski Sokol, 1913, 12
Izmed šestnajstih narodov, ki so člani m ednarodne telovadne zveze, se jih je moglo po višini svoje telovadne usposobljenosti postaviti sam o 6 v to tekmo, ki je zahtevala z ozirom na dovršenost priprave dosedaj najtežje zahteve. In med temi je bila Slovenska Sokolska Zveza kot zastopnica naroda, neznatnega proti onim, ki so jo prekosili v tekmi. Cim večji je narod, tem večje število pri telovadbi udeleženih članov more imeti; potem je tudi izbira tistih individualnih sil, ki prihajajo v poštev za tako tekmo, tem večja ob enaki sili narodnega zdravja, ki se vidi v njegovi telovadni organizaciji. Tako je zastopala francoska vrsta telovadno organizacijo 40 milijonskega naroda, italijanska 34 milijonskega, češka 9 milijonskega, belgijska dva in pol milijonskega naroda, dočim je Slovencev le poldrug milijon.
What Did the Teams Win?
Chief Brother Vaníček stands in the stands and takes from Mr. Cupérus a provisional diploma and chooses the gift of the King of Belgium, a beautiful silver cup, from the honorary prizes. Cupérus (Belgian) is probably pleased with this, and, with glowing cheeks, shakes the chief’s hand. He also announces that the French team won the second prize, achieving 777.75 points. Again a stormy call “Vive la France!” And applause. The leader of the Castiglioni [French] team chooses our shield-bearer in bronze; the third prize was won by the Italian team with 772.25 points – there was silence in the audience, only a hand clapped here and there; the Belgians defended the fourth place with 720.25 points; the fifth is the Slovenian team with 706.50 points and the sixth is the Luxembourg team with 668.25 points. The general impression was that the Slovenes did not deserve their fate, but it must be acknowledged that they were weak in compulsory gymnastics and instead of gaining points, they lost many of them.
Sokol, 1913, Number 12
Bratr náčelník Vaníček vystupuje na tribunu a přejímá z rukou p. Cupérusa prozatímní diplom a volí z čestných cen dar krále belgického, krásný stříbrný pohár. Cupérus (Belgičan) zřejmě tím potěšen, se zářící lící potřásá br. náčelníkovi pravicí. Dále ohlašuje, že druhé ceny dobylo družstvo francouzské, docílivši 777.75 bodů. Opět bouřlivé volání »Vive la France’!« a potlesk. Vůdce družstva Castiglioni vybírá si našeho štítonoše v bronzu; třetí ceny dosáhlo družstvo italské s 772.25 body — ticho, ani hlásku se neozvalo, jen tu a tam tleskla ruka v dlaň; čtvrté místo uhájili Belgové se 720.25 body; páté jest družstvo slovinské se 706.50 body a šesté Lucemburské s 668.25 body. Všeobecný byl dojem, že Slovinci osud svůj nezasloužili, ovšem třeba uznati, že v prostém tělocviku byli slabí a v něm místo aby body získávali, ztratili jich mnoho.
The Perfect Event Totals
The following gymnasts received a perfect total in a single event. For the preliminary exercises, they scored 10s on all three routines, and for the apparatus exercises, they scored a 10 on both the optional and compulsory routines:
- Preliminary Exercises: Giorgio Zampori, Italy, 30.00
- Preliminary Exercises: Vinko Rabič, Slovenian Sokols, 30.00
- High Bar: Josef Czada, Czech Sokols, 20.00
- High Bar: Marco Torrès, France, 20.00
- Parallel Bars: Giorgio Zampori, Italy, 20.00
- Parallel Bars: Guido Boni, Italy, 20.00
A 19.75 meant that the gymnasts received a 10 on either the compulsory or optional routines. The following gymnasts received 19.75s:
- Rings: Laurent Grech, France
- Rings: Marco Torrès, France
- Pommel Horse: Giorgio Zampori, Italy
- Rings: Giorgio Zampori, Italy
- Rings: Guido Boni, Italy
Given that Josef Sýkora of the Czech Sokols scored 29.50 during the preliminary calisthenics, he received at least one perfect 10 during the preliminary calisthenics. Given that Marcos Torrès of France scored 29.75, he received two perfect 10s during the preliminary calisthenics.
Source: Sokol, 1913, 12
For more perfect scores, check out this post.
Judging Assignments
Preliminary Exercises
No. 1. Joseph Wilmet — Belgium.
» 2 Bohumil Havel— Czechia.
» 3. C. Laly — France.
» 4. Giovanni Racchi — Italy.
» 5. Nikola Becker — Luxembourg.
» 6. Pavel Drenik — Slovenia.
» 7. Michel Gillard — Belgium.
» 8. Vladimír Müller — Czechia.
Interplay: Piévaux — France.
Parallel bars: Cesare Tifi — Italy, Kummer — Luxemburg.
High Bar: Josip Smrtnik — Slovenia, José De Wallens — Belgium.
Pommel Horse: Aug. Očenášek — Czechia, Morel — France,
Rings: Felice Radice — Italy, Lemogue — Luxemburg.
Sprint: Mirostor Ambrožič — Slovenia, — Piévaux — France.
Time controller: Vladimír Müller — Czechia.
Long jump: Jos. Willmet — Belgium, Jos. Smrtnik — Slovenia.
Measure controller: Aug. Očenášek — Czechia.
Rope Climb: Vladimír Müller — Czechia, Piévaux — France.
Time controller: Giov. Racchi — Italy.
Weights (dumbbells 40 kg): Cesare Tifi — Italy, Nikola Becker — Luxemburg.
Controller: Bohumil Havel — Czechia.
How Was the Judging?
According to the Slovenians, judging needed to be overhauled. Some judges weren’t even watching the routines.
During the performance, however, I [Miroslav Ambrožič] noticed something that proves again and again the need to rearrange the work of the judges. While an Italian performed an optional routine [on parallel bars], an Italian judge watched the whole exercise that was performed performed by Sever on parallel bars. His co-judge, however, stared at the notebook most of the time. We are therefore forced to question how the score came to be.
Slovenski Sokol, 1913, 11
Med izvajanjem sem pa opazil nekaj, kar iznova dokazuje potrebo preureditve sodniškega posla. Medtem je izvajala italijanska vrsta proste vaje. Italijanski sodnik je gledal na to vrsto ves čas, ko je vajo izvajal Sever na bradlji. Njegov sosodnik pa je večino časa gledal v zvezek.
Note: Luxembourg’s Kummer would have been the judge who allegedly stared at his notebook.
The Slovenians felt that they were at a disadvantage because there were only two Slavic judges on the apparatus (Očenášek on pommel horse and Smrtnik on high bar).
We did not see the scores, they scored them in secret — of course it was not right for us to have only two Slavic representatives among the judges on the apparatus, but this was determined the day before and could not be changed.
Slovenski Sokol, 1913, 12
Znamk nismo videli, znamkovali so tajno — seveda nam ni bilo j prav, da im am o sam o dva slovanska zastopnika med sodniki na orodju, toda tako je bilo določeno že prejšnji dan in izpremeniti se ni dalo.
The Slovenians felt that every routine should be performed in front of a larger jury. Each country would have one judge on the jury.
One representative from each competing nation is appointed and one commission is formed. Each individual competitor would perform in front of this commission. Firstly, the judgment would be more reliable here because it would be handed down by more experts, and secondly, it would be ruled out that some unconscious bias could also occur, because the balance would be created through the representation of all participants.
Slovesnki Sokol, 1913, 12
Od vsakega tekmujčega naroda se določi en zastopnik in tako sestavi ena komisija. Pred to komisijo bi telovadil vsak posamezni tekmovalec. Prvič bi bila tu sodba zanesljivejša, ker bi jo izreklo več strokovnjakov, drugič pa bi bilo izključeno, da bi se mogla pojaviti tudi kaka nezavedna pristranost, ker bi bilo ravnovesje ustvarjeno vsled zastopstva vseh udeležencev.
Competition Commentary
Training Halls
According to the Czechs, the competition gym was cold and unhygienic.
On Saturday morning we went to see the terrain in Gymnasium Voltaire rue Japy, where the competition was to take place tomorrow. The gym is adapted from the former market, it is spacious, paved with oak blocks, equipped with galleries, but it lacks hygienic facilities according to our concepts. It does not have changing rooms or washrooms, it cannot be heated, it also does not boast of cleanliness, everything is only quickly cleaned, washed and decorated. Anyone who knows French gyms was not surprised at all, but it gave our competitors a pause at first.
Sokol, 1913, Number 12
V sobotu ráno vypravili jsme se obhlédnouti terrain v Gymnase Voltaire rue Japy, kde zítra měl se závod odbývati. Tělocvična jest upravena z bývalé tržnice, jest sice prostranná, dubovými špalíky dlážděná, opatřená galeriemi, ale hygienického příslušenství dle našich pojmů postrádá. Nemá šaten ani umýváren, nedá se vytápěti, nehonosí se také čistotou, vše se teprve na rychlo čistí, myje a zdobí. Kdo tělocvičny francouzské zná, nikterak se nad tím nepozastavil, ale naše borce to na prvý okamžik zarazilo.
The gymnasts were not allowed to test the competition equipment.
To our question, if our competitors are allowed to try the competition equipment, we were given a negative answer with reference to strict instructions, applicable for all competing teams. So we went to Clichy again. This obstacle, however, did not put our competitors into a bad mood in the slightest; on the contrary, they burned with special determination and the fighting spirit filled even the most timid of them.
Sokol, 1913, Number 12
Na dotaz náš, je-li dovoleno našim závodníkům zkusiti Si závodní nářadí, byla nám dána záporná odpověď s poukazem na přísné instrukce, platné pro všecka závodní družstva. Jeli jsme tedy opět do Clichy. Touto překážkou však borci naši v nejmenším neklesli na mysli, naopak zahořeli zvláštní odhodlaností a bojechtivost naplnila i nejnesmělejšího z nich.
The Wrong Text for Rings Compulsories
The Czech and Slovenian gymnasts practiced the compulsory routines incorrectly because they did not receive the amended compulsory routines.
A meeting of judges was held here, in which br. Vaníček defended our exercise on rings, so hard that it was demonstrated in the training meeting, as it was printed in the program sent to us and no change was resolved without notifying us. The same opinion was also defended by a representative of the Slovenian team. Our judges and Slovenians tried in vain to support the request of their teams, the majority however ruled against us and the non-delivery of the amended text was credited to the failure of the post office.
Sokol, 1913, Number 12
Na to konána schůze soudců, ve které hájil br. Vaníček naše cvičení na kruzích, tvrdě, že tak bylo ve schůzi nácvičné předváděno, tak bylo i v zaslaném nám programu vytištěno a žádná změna neusnesena aniž nám oznámena. Totéž stanovisko hájil též zástupce družstva slovinského. Marně snažili se soudci naši i slovinští podporovati žádost svých družstev, většina rozhodla proti nám a nedoručení textu změněného připsáno na vrub pošty.
President Cupérus didn’t allow a vote on the matter, even though the Belgians were allowed to perform the compulsory routines differently in 1907.
However, all judges except the Czechs and Slovenes were against the fact that it is known that years ago in Prague the Belgians were allowed to perform the learned exercises differently than prescribed. President Cupérus did not even allow a vote on this proposal.
Slovenski Sokol, 1913, 11
Vendar so bili vsi sodniki razen Čehov in Slovencev proti temu, dasi je znano, da se je pred leti v Pragi dovolilo Belgijcem izvajati naučene vaje drugače, kakor so bile predpisane. Predsednik Cuperus ni dopustil niti glasovanja o tem predlogu.
Drawing of the Lots
Once again, Slovenia had to go first.
The leaders of the teams chose the numbers in which the teams will participate in the competition, contained in a sealed envelope. The program was as follows:
1. Slovenia.
2. Czechia.
3. Belgium.
4. Italy.
5. Luxemburg.
6. France.
Sokol, 1913, 12
Vůdcové družstev vybrali si čísla v jakém pořadu družstva jich v závod přijdou, obsažená v zalepené obálce. Pořad vytažen následující:
1. Slovinci.
2. Češi.
3. Belgičani.
4. Italové.
5. Lucemburkové.
6. Francouzi.
Preliminary Exercises
According to the Czechs, the Czechs and the Slovenes were excellent in this discipline.
Preliminary calisthenics went very well for the Slovenes and us, except for a small wobble. This means a good start. This cannot be said for other teams, of which not a single team came close to the Slovenian team and our team.
Sokol, 1913, Number 12
Prostná jdou Slovincům i našim až na menší pokleskv velmi dobře. Začátek jest tedy dobrý. To nelze říci o ostatních družstvech, z nichž v prostných cvičeních nedostihlo našeho a- slovinského ani jediné.
The other countries tried to use flashy outfits to distract the judges.
At the same time, it should be noted that all foreign 4 teams were looking to increase the impression of their performances with more or less ostentatious training attire. Our competitors and Slovenian brothers impressed with their modest, strictly practical and yet elegant outfits.
Sokol, 1913, Number 12
Při tom dlužno podotknouti, že všecka cizi 4 družstva hleděla zvýšiti dojem svých výkonů více méně okázalým úborem cvičebním, Naši borci a bratří Slovinci imponovali svým skromným, jen praktické potřebě hovícím a přece elegantním úborem.
Parallel Bars
The judges were not impartial. Only the Czechs performed the compulsory mount properly.
Only our competitors performed the start of the compulsory set at the beginning of the parallel bars (forward straddle cut to L-sit, rear vault, and circle) honestly without touch and sitting. Unfortunately, the judges failed to rise to absolute impartiality, as was desirable, and did not forget that they had dangerous opponents in front of them. As a result the scores on the parallel bars, neither for the Czechs nor for the Slovenes, do not correspond with the quality of the exercises performed.
Sokol, 1913, Number 12
Začátek povinné sestavy na začátku bradel (přešvih roznožmo do přednosu, přešvih přednožmo nazad a kolo odbočmo do zášvihu), provedli poctivě bez doteku a výsedu pouze naši borci. Žel, že soudci nedovedli se povznésti na absolutní nestrannost, jak byla žádoucna, a nezapomínali, že mají před sebou nebezpečné soky svých závodníků. Výsledek bodů na bradlech ani u Čechů ani u Slovinců neodpovídá kvalitě provedených cvičení.
Yes, there was a circle — like a pommel horse circle — on parallel bars.
High Bar
Here are some of the skills competed. Front flyaways were very common.
In the optional routines, especially br. Czada in surprising turns and giant swings, performed with captivating precision and certainty. Br. Starý stuns by doing a front giant into a flank into a skin-the-cat position. Br. Pardubský then ends his optional routine with a front flyaway from a giant swing, with a beautifully curved back and perfect hand position into the final position. From the Slovenes, Vidmar, Miklavc and Jezeršek performed the compulsory sets nicely. 3 of them finished the optional sets with a fly away from a front giant swing and landing.
Sokol, 1913, Number 12
Ve volných sestavách hýří zejména br. Czada v překvapujících obratech a veletočích, provedených s přesností a jistotou uchvacující. Br. Starý omračuje přešvihem odbočmo napřed z velkotouče napřed do váhy ve visu vzadu podhmatem. Br. Pardubský končí pak svou volnou sestavu z veletoče napřed přemetem napřed u zákmihu s krásně prohnutým křížem a v bezvadném upažení do klidného postoje.
According to the Slovenians, the Czechs were masters of the high bar.
The Czechs proved to be high bar masters. They were undoubtedly the best. The compulsory exercise was done by all smoothly, with all elegance, and they were as a whole the most perfect team of all other teams.
Slovesnki Sokol, 1913, 11
Čehi so se izkazali na drogu mojstre. Brezdvomno so bili najboljši. Obvezno vajo so delali vsi gladko, z vso eleganco, pri poljubnih pa so bili kot celota najbolj dovršena vrsta izmed vseh drugih vrst.
Pommel Horse
The Italians were unquestionably the best. The Czechs were bothered because the pommels were closer than normal.
The Italians deserved the laurels on pommel horse again. Our competitors were bothered by the closer pommels than they were used to, a very serious thing on pommels. Despite this, they remained only 2 points behind Italy. Only these two teams brought new elements in their optional exercises. The others performed things known or modified from the compulsory set.
Sokol, 1913, Number 12
Na koni na šíř sklízeli opět vavříny Italové. Našim borcům vadila blíže k sobě postavená madla než jak byli zvyklí, věc na koni velice povážlivá. Přes to zůstali pouze o 2 body za Italy. Jedině tato dvě družstva přinesla nové prvky ve svých volných sestavách. Ostatní měli věci známé neb z povinné sestavy upravené.
Note: 100 Years of the FIG expands on this:
On the other hand, the pommel horse was raised from 120 to 140 cm, and the space between the pommels decreased from 45 to 42 cm. The Czechs had to revise the rhythm of the exercise.
100 Years of the FIG
The Slovenians also had issues with the make of the pommel horse.
Foreign horse — this is immediately recognizable; in part, the pommels were also made a little too low and hard. The best on horse were the Italians, we had observed this the day before, but they had nothing special in their optional routines.
Slovenski Sokol, 1913, 11
Tuj konj — to se pozna takoj; deloma so bila kolesa izvedena tudi nekoliko prenizko in tezno. Najboljši na konju so bili Italijani, to smo opazovali že prejšnji dan, imeli pa niso nič posebnega v svojih poljubnih sestavah
Rings
The Czechs were at a double disadvantage: they had learned the incorrect dismount for compulsories, and the rings were too close together.
Our team lost the most points on the rings, partly because they were forced to do a different ending than they had practiced, and partly because of the ropes of rings were hung too close together, so that our competitors frequently hit their shoulders against them. We expected a lot from the rings while at home -— they always did the best in the preliminary competitions — and so here they were bitterly disappointed.
Sokol, 1913, Number 12
Na kruzích ztratili naši nejvíce bodů, jednak tím, že byli nuceni prováděti jiné zakončení než jak měli nacvičeno a jednak tím. že provazce kruhů byly příliš blízko u sebe zavěšeny, tak že borci naši stále na ně rameny naráželi a o ně se dřeli. Od kruhů mnoho jsme si doma slibovali -— šly vždy při předběžných závodech nejlépe — atak trpce byli jsme zklamáni.
According to the Czechs, the French and Italians didn’t have the same problem due to their smaller figures.
The French and Italians, who are thinner figures, prospered here. Unlike our boys and Slovenes, they didn’t rub their shoulders against the ropes.
Sokol, 1913, Number 12
Zde dařilo se Francouzům a Italům, kteří jsouce útlejších postav. než naši borci a Slovinci, nedřeli se ramenv o provazce.
Sprint
The Czechs had to run on wet dirt, into the wind.
The running track was modified on the distant Boulevard Piépus on rolled ground, but rather soft from the last rains. So it was necessary to level the track, which became sand with sharp stones; despite this, the soil remained soft in places. The track was therefore unfavorable, in addition, it was necessary to run against the wind.
Sokol, 1913, Number 12
Dráha k běhu byla upravena na vzdáleném Boulevardu Piépus na půdě válcované, ale posledními dešti dosti rozměklé. Bylo tedy nutno dráhu srovnati, což se stalo pískem s ostrými kaménky; přes to zůstala půda místy měkká. Dráha byla tedy nepříznivá, kromě toho bylo nutno běžeti proti větru.
Starý ran despite being injured.
The Czech Starý showed up as a hero here. His heel was badly injured; he could only walk on his toes, and in running he surpassed our best.
Slovenski Sokol, 1913, 11
Junaka se je tu pokazal Čeh Stary. Peta mu je bila močno poškodovana; hoditi je mogel le po prstih, pri teku pa je prekosil našega najboljšega.
Long Jump
The Czech team did not do as well as they wanted. Starý did well despite an injured leg.
Our competitors did not succeed in the long jump as they were used to be in Prague. Only the brothers Starý and Sýkora achieved the full number of points. For brother Starý, I must express an unspoken admiration that almost on one leg, overcoming all his pain in the injured leg jumped 5.70 m.
Sokol, 1913, Number 12
Na skoku dalekém se borcům našim nedařilo ani tak jako bývalo v Praze. Jedině bratří Starý a Sýkora dosáhli plného počtu bodů. Bratru Starému nutno vysloviti nelíčený obdiv, že téměř o jedné noze, přemáhaje vší silou své vůle bolest v poraněné noze skočil přece 5.70.
The Slovenians felt that the conditions for the long jump were poor.
After the noon break, the competition continued with long jump. The landing site was quite deficient. The whole hall was brightly lit — the track and landing were in the dark.
Slovenski Sokol, 1913, 12
Po opoldanskem odm oru se je tekma n adaljevala najprej s skokom . O prem a doskočišča je bila dokaj pomanjkljiva. Bajno so razsvetlili vso dvorano — odrivališče in doskakališče pa sta bili v temi.
Rope Climb
The rope stretched.
[B]ut when the Italians and French arrived, the rope was already stretched so that the start point was 20 cm closer to the ground.
Slovenski Sokol, 1913, 12
[K]o pa so prišli Italijani in Francozi, je bila vrv že nategnjena tako, da se je točka, do koder se je plezalo, približala tlom najmanj za 20 cm.
Note: The implication is that the rope climb was easier for the French and the Italian teams.
The Slovenians wanted mechanical timers rather than human timers.
For competitions on such a large scale, however, mechanical devices for measuring time both in climbing and running should be considered. The runner and the timekeeper are never in such contact that one can reliably infer the certainty of the modern beginning of climbing, or running or their arrival.
Slovenski Sokol, 1913, 12
Za tekme v tako velikem obsegu bi se pa morale pač omisliti mehanične naprave za m erjenje časa tako pri plezanju, kakor pri teku. Tekm ovalec in merilec časa nista nikoli v takem kontaktu, da bi se m oglo zanesljivo sklepati na gotovost sodobnega začetka plezanja, oziroma teka ali njihovega dospetka.
An Appearance by the President of France
Oh, and the President of France made an appearance.
With the arrival of the Minister of the Interior Klotz and, after a short time, the President of the Republic Poincaré, there was a longer break in the competition. Captured by the entire competition, we did not even notice that the half-empty, large hall had now filled to the last place with curious citizens of the republic, longing to see their new president.
Sokol, 1913, 12
Příchodem ministra vnitra Klotze a po krátké době i presidenta republiky Poincaré-a nastala v závodech deiší přestávka. Zaujati cele závody, ani jsme neprozorovali, že poloprázdná dříve, rozlehlá dvorana naplnila se zatím do posledního místečka zvědavýrni občany republiky, toužícími spatřiti nového svého presidenta.
The 1913 FIG Congress
In 1913, the FIG held its penultimate congress before the start of World War I. During their discussions, the delegates set an ambitious goal of 10 teams for the 8th tournament. (In 1911, there had been 8 participating teams, which had been the most until that point.) They also agreed to have the same rules at the Olympic Games and at the International Tournaments, which didn’t come to fruition for quite some time, as we’ll see in my next post.
Here’s a translation of Pierre Hentgès’s recap in Olympische Turnkunst:
On the eve of the 6th tournament, the 10th International Convention was held at the Sorbonne in Paris. Delegates from Belgium, Bohemia, Croatia, Denmark, Great Britain, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Russia, Sweden, Slovenia, and Hungary took part; also a representative of Switzerland.
Various suggestions were made for the tournament regulations, regarding the difficulty of the compulsory exercises, the number of exercises, the admission of individual gymnasts. One suggestion in particular stood out: “Let the federations themselves prescribe their compulsory exercises and leave it up to the international technical committee to evaluate them.” In the end, however, the overwhelming majority agreed “to maintain the status quo, with the wish that moderate difficulty of the exercises would enable a greater number of nations to participate.”
Cazalet’s wish was unanimously accepted that the gymnastics rules for the Olympic Games should be the same as for our tournaments.
Thereupon they parted with the hope that the situation in the Balkans would calm down soon, and they planned to meet in 1915 in Antwerp, with the hope of having at least ten teams together at the 8th tournament.
Unfortunately, this rendezvous will not take place. Next summer — on July 4th in Luxembourg the technicians will still set the program, but two months later — war will break out!
Olympische Turnkunst, 1967, Number 3
Am Vorabend des 6. Turniers fand in Der Sorbonne in Paris die 10. Internationale Zusammenkunft statt. Es nahmen daran teil die Delegierten von Belgien, Böhmen, Kroatien, Dänemark, Großbritannien, Italien, Luxemburg, Niederlande, Norwegen, Rumänien, Rußland, Schweden, Slowenien, Ungarn; ferner ein Vertreter der Schweiz.
Zu dem Turnier-Reglement waren wiederum verschiedene Vorschläge eingebracht worden, betr. der Schwierigkeit der Pflichtübungen, der Zahl der Übungen, der Zulassung von Einzelturnern. Besonders ein Vorschlag fiel auf: “man solle den Verbänden es überlassen, ihre Pflichtübungen selbst vorzuschreiben und es dem internationalen technischen Comité überlassen, wie sie zu werten sienen.” Zum Schluß kam jedoch die überwiegende Mehrheit überein, “den Status-quo beizubehalten mit dem Wunsche, daß eine mäßige Schwierigkeit der Übungen einer größeren Zahl von Nationen die Beteiligung ermögliche.”
Einstimmig angenommen wurde der Wusch Cazalet’s, die Turnregeln für die Olympischen Spiele sollten dieselben sein wie für unsere Turniere.
Daraufhin trennte man sich mit dem Wunsche, daß die Lage auf dem Balkan sich bald beruhigen möge, und man gab sich Stelldichein für 1915 in Antwerpen, mit der Hoffnung, dort, auf dem VIII. Turnier wenigstens zehn Mannschaften beisammen zu haben.
Dieses Stelldichein wird ledier nicht stattfinden. Im nächsten Sommer, — am 4 Juli werden in Luxemberg die Techniker noch das Programm festlegen, aber zwei Monate später – wird der Krieg ausbrechen!
Appendix A: Track and Field Scoring
Long Jump
3.50 m = 0.5 points
3.70 m = 1 point
3.90 m = 1.25 points
4.10 m = 1.50 points
4.30 m = 2 points
4.50 m = 2.5 points
4.60 m = 3 points
4.70 m = 3.50 points
4.80 m = 4 points
4.90 m = 4.75 points
5.00 m = 5.50 points
5.10 m = 6.25 points
5.20 m = 7 points
5.30 m = 8 points
5.40 m = 9 points
5.50 m = 10 points
Rope Climb (8 m)
12 seconds = 0.50 points
11 ⅘ seconds = 1.00 point
11 ⅗ seconds = 1.50 points
11 ⅖ seconds = 2.00 points
11 ⅕ seconds = 2.50 points
11 seconds = 3.00 points
10 ⅘ seconds = 3.50 point
10 ⅗ seconds = 4.00 points
10 ⅖ seconds = 4.50 points
10 ⅕ seconds = 5.00 points
10 seconds = 5.50 points
9 ⅘ seconds = 6.50 point
9 ⅗ seconds = 7.00 points
9 ⅖ seconds = 8.00 points
9 ⅕ seconds = 9.00 points
9 seconds = 10.00 points
100 m
15 seconds = 0.50 points
14 ⅘ seconds = 1.00 point
14 ⅗ seconds = 1.50 points
14 ⅖ seconds = 2.00 points
14 ⅕ seconds = 2.50 points
14 seconds = 3.00 points
13 ⅘ seconds = 3.50 point
13 ⅗ seconds = 4.00 points
13 ⅖ seconds = 4.50 points
13 ⅕ seconds = 5.00 points
13 seconds = 5.50 points
12 ⅘ seconds = 6.50 point
12 ⅗ seconds = 7.00 points
12 ⅖ seconds = 8.00 points
12 ⅕ seconds = 9.00 points
12 seconds = 10.00 points
Weights
1 point for each correct lift
(Source: Slovenski Sokol, 1913, 2)
Appendix B: Complete Scores
Czech Sokols
| Starý | Sýkora | Steiner | Czada | Douda | Pražák | Total | |
| Prelim. Exercise | 28.50 | 29.50 | 28.50 | 26.00 | 28.50 | 29.00 | 170.00 |
| Parallel Bars | 18.00 | 18.25 | 17.25 | 19.00 | 18.75 | 17.50 | 108.75 |
| HighBar | 19.25 | 19.50 | 18.75 | 20.00 | 19.25 | 18.25 | 115.00 |
| Pommel Horse | 19.00 | 18.25 | 18.00 | 18.00 | 18.50 | 16.50 | 108.75 |
| Rings | 17.75 | 16.25 | 16.00 | 14.50 | 17.50 | 17.75 | 99.75 |
| Long Jump | 10 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 6.25 | 7 | 48.25 |
| Rope Climb | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 53 |
| Weights | 10 | 9.75 | 10 | 10 | 9.50 | 9 | 58.25 |
| 100 m | 9 | 5.50 | 5.50 | 6 | 3.50 | 3.50 | 128.50 |
| Behavior | 9.75 | ||||||
| Total | 141.50 | 136.50 | 131.00 | 132.50 | 124.75 | 128.50 | 804.50 |
Unless otherwise indicated, all scores are from the aforementioned publication.
France
| Ben-Sadoun | Grech | Marquelet | Aubry | Torrès | Ségura | Total | |
| Prelim. Exercise | 25.25 | 26.50 | 27.00 | 28.00 | 29.75 | 25.00 | 161.50 |
| Parallel Bars | 17.00 | 18.50 | 17.75 | 18.75 | 19.25 | 18.50 | 109.75 |
| HighBar | 18.25 | 18.00 | 17.00 | 15.25 | 20.00 | 18.50 | 107.00 |
| Pommel Horse | 15.50 | 18.25 | 18.25 | 19.25 | 19.25 | 18.25 | 108.75 |
| Rings | 16.25 | 19.75 | 17.75 | 16.25 | 19.75 | 18.00 | 107.75 |
| Long Jump | 10 | 6.25 | 9 | 6.25 | 7.00 | 3.50 | 42.00 |
| Rope Climb | 4 | 8 | 10 | 3.50 | 10 | 5.50 | 41.00 |
| Weights | 10 | 10 | 8.50 | 10 | 10 | 9.50 | 58.00 |
| 100 m | 7 | 5.50 | 6 | 3.50 | 7 | 3.50 | 32.50 |
| Behavior | 9.50 | ||||||
| Total | 123.25 | 130.75 | 131.25 | 120.75 | 142.00 | 120.25 | 777.75 |
Italy
| Salvi | Bianchi | Palazzi | Zampori | Romano | Boni | Total | |
| Prelim. Exercise | 24.50 | 23.00 | 21.00 | 30.00 | 27.75 | 25.50 | 151.75 |
| Parallel Bars | 19.25 | 18.75 | 18.50 | 20.00 | 19.25 | 20.00 | 115.75 |
| High Bar | 18.00 | 19.00 | 19.50 | 16.50 | 18.25 | 6.50 | 97.75 |
| Pommel Horse | 17.50 | 18.25 | 19.25 | 19.75 | 17.00 | 18.50 | 110.25 |
| Rings | 17.50 | 19.50 | 18.25 | 19.75 | 19.50 | 19.75 | 114.25 |
| Long Jump | 5.50 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 50.50 |
| Rope Climb | 0 | 6.50 | 6.50 | 6.50 | 5.50 | 6.50 | 31.50 |
| Weights | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 60.00 |
| 100 m | 4 | 5.50 | 5 | 4 | 5.50 | 7 | 31 |
| Behavior | 9.50 | ||||||
| Total | 116.25 | 128.50 | 128.00 | 135.50 | 131.75 | 122.75 | 772.25 |
Belgium
| Wagemans | Dumont | Patteson | Labeen | De Mol | Kempeneers | Total | |
| Prelim. Exercise | 28.75 | 27.00 | 25.25 | 27.00 | 25.25 | 25.50 | 158.75 |
| Parallel Bars | 16 | 16.50 | 17.00 | 17.00 | 17.25 | 16.50 | 100.25 |
| High Bar | 19 | 17.50 | 18.75 | 18.00 | 17.50 | 19.50 | 110.25 |
| Pommel Horse | 17.75 | 17.75 | 17.75 | 18.50 | 14.00 | 15.50 | 101.25 |
| Rings | 15.25 | 18 | 16 | 17.50 | 18 | 18.25 | 103.00 |
| Long Jump | 7 | 6.25 | 2 | 3.50 | 2 | 4.75 | 25.50 |
| Rope Climb | 6.50 | 2.50 | 10 | 2 | 8 | 5.50 | 34.50 |
| Weights | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9.50 | 59.50 |
| 100 m | 4 | 4 | 3.50 | 2 | 3 | 4.50 | 21 |
| Behavior | 9.25 | ||||||
| Total | 124.25 | 119.50 | 120.25 | 115.50 | 115.00 | 119.50 | 723.25 |
Slovenian Sokols
| Vidmar | Sever | Jezeršek | Jerin | Rabič | Míklavc | Total | |
| Prelim. Exercise | 27.25 | 27.50 | 27.00 | 28.25 | 30.00 | 29.00 | 169.00 |
| Parallel Bars | 17.00 | 16.50 | 14.50 | 15.00 | 16.76 | 16.25 | 96.00 |
| High Bar | 18.25 | 17.25 | 17.75 | 18.00 | 18.25 | 18.50 | 108.00 |
| Pommel Horse | 19.00 | 17.50 | 15.50 | 10.00 | 13.00 | 15.00 | 90.00 |
| Rings | 16.50 | 14.75 | 17.75 | 15.25 | 16.25 | 14.50 | 95.00 |
| Long Jump | 10 | 2 | 4.75 | 7 | 4 | 3.50 | 31.25 |
| Rope Climb | 10 | 2.25 | 2 | 10 | 5.50 | 6.50 | 30.50 |
| Weights | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9.50 | 10 | 10 | 58.50 |
| 100 m | 5.50 | 0 | 0.50 | 4 | 1 | 1.50 | 12.50 |
| Behavior | 9.75 | ||||||
| Total | 133.50 | 107.00 | 109.75 | 117.00 | 114.75 | 114.75 | 706.50 |
Luxembourg
| Thommes | Bordang | Hentges | Lanners | Horn | Adam | Total | |
| Prelim. Exercise | 24.25 | 21.75 | 26.00 | 25.50 | 26.00 | 24.00 | 151.50 |
| Parallel Bars | 18.50 | 17.00 | 19.50 | 17.50 | 18.75 | 18.00 | 109.25 |
| HighBar | 17.00 | 14.00 | 18.00 | 16.75 | 16.25 | 13.75 | 95.75 |
| Pommel Horse | 13.50 | 9.00 | 16.25 | 16.00 | 16.00 | 13.50 | 84.25 |
| Rings | 17.50 | 15.50 | 19.25 | 19.25 | 18.00 | 12.50 | 102.00 |
| Long Jump | 8 | 4.75 | 5.50 | 3.50 | 4 | 2 | 27.57 |
| Rope Climb | 1.50 | 0 | 4 | 5.50 | 1 | 0.50 | 12.50 |
| Weights | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9.75 | 59.75 |
| 100 m | 5.50 | 2 | 3.50 | 1.50 | 3.50 | 0.50 | 16.50 |
| Behavior | 9 | ||||||
| Total | 115.75 | 94.00 | 122.00 | 119.50 | 113.50 | 94.50 | 668.25 |
Note: Luxembourg benefited from the new rules about replacement athletes. Wehrer was also on the team, but he did not compete due to injury.
Source: Sokol, 1913, 12
2 replies on “1913: The Last World Championships before World War I”
This information is AMAZING!!! However, there is no explanation as to how Ferdinand Steiner became World All-Around Champion. He was not the highest scorer – SEVERAL had larger totals than him. ?!?!?!?!
Whoops!! For some reason I thought I was looking at the 1911 page, where it WAS stated that he was the highest individual finisher. My bad! Here, it Torres of France logged 142 points which puts him in top position which congeals with everything I knew so far (which is practically nothing, nevertheless…)