This Day in Track & Field, September 7, Luigi Beccali wins 1,500m in inauguaral European Championships (1934), Mary Slaney sets 3000m AR of 8:25.83 (1985)

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This Day in Track & Field–September  7 

1934—The inaugural European Championships began in Turin, Italy, and continued through September 9^th.

Finland’s Matti Järvinen, the gold medalist at the 1932 Olympics, provided the main highlight on the opening day, setting his 9th World Record in the Javelin with his winning throw of 251-6 (76.66). He would set his 10^th (and final) WR the following year (253-4 [77.23]).

Italy’s Luigi Beccali, another reigning Olympic Champion, won the 1500-Meters in 3:54.6.

Missing from the list of the 15 countries that competed were the Soviet Union, which had not yet become a member of the IAAF, and Great Britain, which refused to participate since traditionally it considered the competitive season as ending on the first Sunday in August!

Medalists: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1934_European_Athletics_Championships

Results: https://www.european-athletics.com/historical-data/calendar-results/6980719

History: https://www.european-athletics.com/competitions/european-athletics-championships/past-editions

1960–Al Oerter’s eventual status as one of the “gods” of the sport was in serious trouble as the Discus entered the 5th round at the Rome Olympics. Teammate Rink Babka was leading with his 1st-round toss of 190-4 (58.02), with defending champion Oerter standing in 2nd with a best of 189-1 (57.64m). But Oerter, thanks to some advice given to him by his good friend Babka, came through in fine style, throwing an Olympic record of 194-2 (59.18) to lock up the 2nd of his 4 straight gold medals. It was a U.S. sweep, with Babka winning the silver medal over teammate Dick Cochran(187-10 [57.26]).

        Don “Tarzan” Bragg set an Olympic Record of 15-5 (4.70m) in the Pole Vault, while U.S. teammate  Ron Morris won the silver medal with a jump of 15-1 (4.60), and the bronze went to Finland’s Eeles Landström (14-11 [4.55]). Rolando Cruz, like Bragg a Villanova…