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Canada’s Unexpected Wins Capped By McLeod’s
Ride
20-year-old C.N.T.
Messenger Swept to Two-foot Victory in 10-mile Bike Event
Toronto Star, August 13, 1934
Canada’s second British Empire games efforts, spotted with unexpected
triumphs and surprising reversals sent the Dominion into second place
in the standing today. She stood well above every other Dominion and
only bowed to Mother England.
Her track and field forces had stood a bitter test in fine style.
Wrestlers had captured more titles than any other country. Swimmers had
established definite supremacy. The boxers and lawn bowlers failed to
win a championship.
There was nothing more unexpected, nothing more sensational than the
triumph of a 20-year-old Canadian telegraph messenger, Bob McLeod, of
Toronto, in the 10-mile classic of the Empire’s wind up cycling
programs Saturday at Manchester. McLeod capped the Canadian challenge.
His victory over a brilliant field of experienced riders compared with
Harold Webster’s marathon win and the spectacular broad jumping of Sam
Richardson. It was just as unexpected and thrilling.
McLeod came through with a grand burst of speed down the stretch to get
his front wheel two feet ahead of Jim Clayton of South Africa and keep
it there. He won by that margin in the fast time of 24 minutes 26.2
seconds. Jack Harvell, British champion was third.
The Toronto youth made a fine showing in the 1,000 metres time trial to
get warmed up for the more important event. He took second place to
Harry Gray of Australia. Gray’s time was 1 minute 16.4 seconds and
McLeod’s 1:18.
The other Canadian cyclist, George Turner of Ottawa, failed to qualify
in his heat of the 1,000 yards event. The race was won by Higgins of
England.
As nearly 500 of the empire’s athletes started for home, Canada counted
her wind s at 17. England had 29 of which 16 were scored in track and
field and six in boxing. Australia was third with eight. South Africa
had seven titles. Scotland 5 and New Zealand and British Guyana one
each.
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