Sport: LADIES’ DAY

The Olympic Games began with a foot race, but along the way have picked up some sidelines ‘ that the Greeks had no word for. Now 16 other events — including yachting, fencing and cycling — have their day.

The Greeks long barred women from the games, even as spectators, under penalty of death. But women have competed in the modern Olym pics since 1900.

The U.S. women shown here will try to make up forthe poor showing of their predecessors at Berlin in 1936.

That year the Dutch girls made al most a clean sweep of swimming, winning every race but the 200-meter breaststroke, which Japan took. This time the Dutch have the world’s No. 1 breaststroke swimmer, chubby Nell van Vliet. But San Francisco’s pretty Ann Curtis is supposed to be the best freestyler.

Since 1920, U.S. women have never lost an Olympic diving event; the present squad is reportedly fancier than ever. U.S. women gymnasts will be appearing in an event newly added to the Olympic agenda.

India has long held the field hockey title, just as the U.S. has usually swept the river with its eight-oared crew—and the University of California crew will probably do it again.

Next to track & field, men’s swimming gets most attention from the U.S. at the Olympics. With Japan on the sidelines (Japan and Germany were not invited), the U.S. has the pool almost to itself—except for France’s Alex Jany in the 100-& 400-meter freestyle. The best U.S. bet: husky Breast-Stroker Joe Verdeur, who has been breaking his own world records.