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Story
June 13, 1956
The Key West Citizen
Key West, Monroe County, Florida
What is this article about?
Horace Ashenfelter, the 1952 Olympic 3,000-meter steeplechase champion, states in New York that he is unsure about competing in Melbourne this year, citing his current condition and Polish rival J. Chromik's world record time.
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He's Not Sure About Olympic
By ED CORRIGAN
NEW YORK ( Horace Ashenfelter, the galloping G-man; said today that all the talk about him making the trip to Melbourne this year to defend his Olympic 3,000-meter steeplechase championship is slightly premature.
"No, matter what anyone thinks," said the slim Penn State graduate, "I don't know if I will make the trip.
"I'm going to try out for the Olympic team merely because I'm going to be on the West Coast for the National AAU Championships the week before."
Ashenfelter is the fellow who stunned the world and the Iron Curtain countries by winning the steeplechase in the '52 games and setting a record of 8:45.4 to boot.
He beat out Russia's Vladimir Kazantsev in the final lap.
Americans rarely have won Olympic races over 1,500 meters so Ashenfelter's effort came as a real shocker for the Eastern European nations, who always have prided themselves on their distance runners.
"For one thing " said Ashenfelter. "I definitely wouldn't consider going if I was not in top condition, and that holds true if I make the team. I'll have to determine myself what kind of condition I'm in.
"Right now, for example, I am not in top condition. I'm in good condition, but that doesn't win Olympic races.
Just nine months ago, J. Chromik of Poland ran the 3,000-meter steeplechase in 8:40.2 in a race in Budapest and the International Amateur Athletic Federation, the world certifying agency, accepted that as a world record.
"I know about him," said Ashenfelter. "That's why I don't want to try for the title again unless I can get in top shape. At best, I'd be a contender, I'm not being modest. Chromik ran the distance better than five seconds under my record, so he should be the favorite in a race with me."
By ED CORRIGAN
NEW YORK ( Horace Ashenfelter, the galloping G-man; said today that all the talk about him making the trip to Melbourne this year to defend his Olympic 3,000-meter steeplechase championship is slightly premature.
"No, matter what anyone thinks," said the slim Penn State graduate, "I don't know if I will make the trip.
"I'm going to try out for the Olympic team merely because I'm going to be on the West Coast for the National AAU Championships the week before."
Ashenfelter is the fellow who stunned the world and the Iron Curtain countries by winning the steeplechase in the '52 games and setting a record of 8:45.4 to boot.
He beat out Russia's Vladimir Kazantsev in the final lap.
Americans rarely have won Olympic races over 1,500 meters so Ashenfelter's effort came as a real shocker for the Eastern European nations, who always have prided themselves on their distance runners.
"For one thing " said Ashenfelter. "I definitely wouldn't consider going if I was not in top condition, and that holds true if I make the team. I'll have to determine myself what kind of condition I'm in.
"Right now, for example, I am not in top condition. I'm in good condition, but that doesn't win Olympic races.
Just nine months ago, J. Chromik of Poland ran the 3,000-meter steeplechase in 8:40.2 in a race in Budapest and the International Amateur Athletic Federation, the world certifying agency, accepted that as a world record.
"I know about him," said Ashenfelter. "That's why I don't want to try for the title again unless I can get in top shape. At best, I'd be a contender, I'm not being modest. Chromik ran the distance better than five seconds under my record, so he should be the favorite in a race with me."
What sub-type of article is it?
Biography
Personal Triumph
What themes does it cover?
Triumph
Misfortune
What keywords are associated?
Olympic Steeplechase
Horace Ashenfelter
Melbourne Olympics
Athletic Condition
World Record
What entities or persons were involved?
Horace Ashenfelter
Vladimir Kazantsev
J. Chromik
Where did it happen?
New York
Story Details
Key Persons
Horace Ashenfelter
Vladimir Kazantsev
J. Chromik
Location
New York
Event Date
1956
Story Details
Horace Ashenfelter, 1952 Olympic steeplechase gold medalist and record holder, expresses doubt about defending his title in Melbourne due to not being in top condition, aware of Polish runner J. Chromik's faster world record.