Deutsches Stadion (Grunewald Stadion), Berlin, Germany, August 18–19, 1928
After mid-August, Berlin hosted the season's most anticipated duel in the 800. Douglas Lowe (1:51.2 PB, the third-fastest time ever for two laps), a two-time Olympic champion running in the final competitions of his career, decisively defeated 880-yard world record holder Otto Peltzer (1:52.6), who had a disappointing Amsterdam Games. With this victory, Lowe avenged his loss to Peltzer at the British Championships in 1926. World record holder Séra Martin faded to fourth place.
Helmut Körnig, the Olympic bronze medalist in the 200 meters, clocked a winning time of 20.9 in the 200. This was initially reported, for example in Finland, as the world's leading time. It was later clarified that the distance was run on a straight track, making it equivalent to approximately 21.4 on a full-curve track. Even so, this was the sixth-fastest time in the world that season. In the same race, Körnig defeated Henry Russell, who had anchored the United States to gold in the 4x100 metre relay in Amsterdam.
Emerson Spencer, who had failed to qualify in the US trials, had the last laugh by surging to victory in the 400 with 47.8, the eighth-fastest of the season. Joachim Büchner, the bronze medallist from Amsterdam, finished a few metres behind.
Sten Pettersson continued his strong post-Olympic 400-metre hurdles performances, winning in 53.1. Peltzer, once again drawn to his "secret love" (the hurdles), finished third in 55.1. Pettersson also competed in the high hurdles, where he again defeated the USA's Weems Baskin.
The shot put saw impressive action in Berlin. Emil Hirschfeld of Germany, who had suffered a surprise defeat in Amsterdam, unleashed a winning throw of 15.875 (52-1), equaling the world record set by American John Kuck at the Olympic Games. A week and a half later, Hirschfeld became the first to surpass 16 metres.
Eino Penttilä, who had improved his throws after the Amsterdam Games, won the javelin competition with a throw of 65.42 (214-7). In the 1500, Olympic silver medallist Jules Ladoumègue won effortlessly, leaving the reigning Finnish champion in the event and the winner of the Berlin 5000 in over 15 minutes, Leo Helgas, far behind in second place. Both of the top two finishers in the 1500 meters were declared professionals in the early 1930s.
Hufvudstadsbladet August 26, 1928 (picture: Penttilä throws the javelin)
Urheilija 10/1928 (picture featuring Lowe and Peltzer)