This crossword No. 9714 clues and answers were published on Thu 21 Jun 2001 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Quick Crossword No. 9714 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Periodic sporting contests : OLYMPICGAMES
9-across – Blacksmith’s block : ANVIL
10-across – Stammer : STUTTER
11-across – Askew : AWRY
12-across – Australian capital – ship : CANBERRA
14-across – Released – shot – treated leniently : LETOFF
15-across – Comment : REMARK
18-across – Sweetmeat : LOLLIPOP
20-across – Autumn – trip : FALL
22-across – Straddling : ASTRIDE
23-across – Fat : OBESE
24-across – Metropolitan Police HQ : SCOTLANDYARD
All Down Clues and Answers:
2-down – Young hare : LEVERET
3-down – Spot – traitor : MOLE
4-down – Place equipment in position : INSTAL
5-down – Complained : GRUMBLED
6-down – Measuring device : METER
7-down – One carrying out a run of murders : SERIALKILLER
8-down – Gymnastic event and apparatus : PARALLELBARS
13-down – It’s no rumour – he’s in charge : OFFICIAL
16-down – Non-professional : AMATEUR
17-down – Fashionable : MODERN
19-down – Discuss no further – dismiss – release : LETGO
21-down – Small horse – £25 : PONY
This crossword has in total 24 where 12 are across and 12 are down.