But surely the pentathlon has only one "athletic" discipline... the others being swimming, fencing, shooting and horse riding to accompany the cross country run? It is a "sport" that has its roots in the military.
I have absolutely no idea if I'm right regarding the track and field question but assuming I am I'll set a question about something I learned on my recent travels: what is the connection between events in Czechoslovakia in 1938 and New York 1939? A couple of sentences or so should cover the answer.
You're probably right - that's the make-up of modern pentathlon. Wasn't quite the same as I remember doing decades ago though - when it involved 100 yd hurdles, long jump, shot put, high jump and a mile run.
All I can think of here is the World Fair in New York in 1939 and the Sudetenland Crisis - but can't really connect the two. Anything to do with Czech refugees arriving there at the same time as the Fair opening?
BB you are absolutely on the right lines with the Sudetenland. A clue is in the history of the Harlem River and political posturing that followed...
Going back to the athletics event, I think it might be the hammer - one to check the hammer (or more specifically, the chain) hasn't been tampered with, one to check that the foot doesn't go outside the circle in the process of the throw, one to check it lands in the area it's supposed to and two to measure the distance.
OK. I'm back. Fez was on the way so it's his go now. The actual answer was the triple jump - which has exactly 5 judges (all other events have either more or fewer). One is for raising a red or white flag to signify 'good' or 'no' jumps at takeoff. 2 judges are at the pit for measuring and recording. 1 judge calls up competitors and clears the runway and the fifth one (unique to this event) is sited between takeoff and landing to watch the competitors feet during the 3 phases.
The Harlem River Shipping canal? It's creation in the early part of 20th century required part of the river to be deepened & widened - which led to part of Manhattan annexed to become part of the Bronx. The courts found in 1939 that the area should still be part of Manhattan, and James Lyons - Borough President of the Bronx - referred to the annexed area as The Bronx Sudetenland' as he wanted it for the Bronx. Wonderful thing Google...
That is absolutely spot on: Marble Hill is the area in question and Lyons did just that in planting the Bronx County flag in the town square "annexing" it to the Bronx. The locals of course jeered him off and to this day that is the only part of Manhattan that is not on the island. Ironically the day to day running is served by the Bronx but everything else, such as jury service, involves a trip to downtown Manhattan. Anyone who goes to New York should make sure they take the full island cruise. Over to you BB
Sticking with the New York/Czechoslovakia theme - a New York taxi driver signed a deal with a Czech company to manufacture their designs, a deal which eventually led to one of the most successful products in history. Which product?
