France v Britain

France and Britain clashed for the third time in a track and field match at the end of July in Paris. Around 20,000 athletics enthusiasts gathered at Pershing Stadium to witness the event, which took place under beautiful sunny skies.

Each event featured three French and three British athletes. Points were awarded only to the top three finishers, unlike today’s common practice. First place earned 5 points, second 3 points, and third place 1 point, leaving those in fourth to sixth places with nothing for their efforts.

Stallard's Third Consecutive Victory

Henry Stallard, a medical student at Cambridge University, was becoming a consistent point-scorer for Britain. He won the 1500 metres (or mile) for the third consecutive time in the France v Britain match. The winning time was over four minutes, but the time was irrelevant.

Stallard will be remembered from the Paris Olympics 1500 metres, where he gave everything but was still decisively beaten by Paavo Nurmi.

Fred Gaby claimed his second consecutive victory in the hurdles, defeating future two-time Olympian Gabriel Sempé and veteran Henri Bernard.

Nokes Throws Himself to Second in the World Rankings

Malcolm Nokes of Britain achieved a world-class winning throw and UK record of 52.76 metres (173-2) in the hammer throw. It was the sixth-longest throw of the season and the best performance of the match. Only Fred Tootell of America threw further in 1923. The top French competitor participated just for the sake of it, with his throw reaching a modest 30 metres (98-5).

Britain secured its third consecutive match victory, winning 69–42 this time.