Track & Field: Hurrah for Homebodies

The Olympics were still a year away —but the U.S. was already limbering up its muscles. At the Pan American Games in Sao Paulo, Brazil, U.S. swimmers won 19 of 20 events, U.S. wrestlers swept eight of eight, U.S. weightlifters six of seven. Latin American track fans saw their first 16-ft. vault when Dave Tork soared over the crossbar at 16 ft. ¾ in. Balding Pete McArdle chopped 65.1 sec. off the Games record for 10,000 meters, and Broadjumper Ralph Boston leaped 26 ft. 7¼ in. Jaunty Jim Beatty, who had not lost...