The Portland daily press., 1896-04-04

portanoe which came up for consideration
was what sort Of sports should be selected
for the competition schedule. This was
matter which kept the committee busy Tor
many months. At first everybody was FOR
pure revival of the Olympian games, the
throwing of the discus, chariot racing and
Eli the rest But when it came to be con-
sidered that few would take the time ana
trouble to study the classics all over again
with the single view Of acquiring prac-
tical knowledge of shsoleAe pastimes the
views of the oommitt6csv:.a modified, and
it was at last agreed that only such Greelan
games as were easily adaptable to modern
conditions would be introduced. This was
all the more reasonable from the fact that
even the Greeks themselves have largely
abandoned the sports of their ancestors
First on the list Of events the committee
placed athletic sports, and first among
these, as being the most natural and uni
versal, foot races These will be 100, 400,
500 and /, 500 meters. Then will come the
hurdle race Of ITO meters, running broad
and high jump, pole vault, putting the shot
and the Oldest of Grecian games throwing
the discus. The greatest race will be at
the end, the long distance run from Mara
thon to Athens. The distance between
these points is 80 miles. This race course
Is classic, it being the one traversed by the
Jealous messenger who ran all the way to
Athens to announce the memorable VIC
tory of Miltiades on Marathon's bloody
plain. The fact, as recorded in history,
that this messenger dropped dead from ex-
haustion after making his announcement
does not seem to dampen the ardor of the
young athletes of today, who are eager to
compare their agility and endurance with
that of the famous runners OF the days of
Grecian glory.
The next division of the programme Is
fenominated gymnastic sports These
consist of individual exhibitions, exhibi-
tions on the rings, parallel bars, horse
leaping and team work.
Fencing and wrestling have a place to
themselves. In this division there will be
work with the foils, salve and sword, am
ateur, civil and military wrestling, Greek
and Roman methods.
Shooting occupies class by itself. 1t
will consist of target practice with army
rifles, carbines and pistols; rifle range 300
and 200 meters, revolver and carbine 25
and 80 meters.
Aquatios is a general term that will en-
brace all sorts of contests in and upon the
water There will be o 10 mile steam
yacht race on the Saronic gulf under the
rules of the Cercle de La Vale de Paris,
and also competitions between sailing
yachts of 3 tons 5 miles, of 3 to 10 tons
10 miles, of 10 to 20 tons 10 miles, of over
90 tons 10 miles, rules of the Yacht Rae
ing association Of Engand.
The rowing races will be run along the
Phaleron beach, where also the swimming
contests will be held. The rowing will be
with single SOULS, double scull and four
oars, rules of the italian Rowing club gov
erning.
The swimming matches will be at three
distances-100 meters, 500 meters and
1000 meters.
The bicycle races will take place on the
Phalerio piain situated half way between
the city and the seashore. The courses
will be 1900 meters, 10000 meters and
100 kilometers (62 miles) and of IL hours,
all upon track rules of the International
Cyclists association.
The athletic games division will ba
made up of contests at lawn tennis, single
and double, and cricket. 1t was intended
also to have football, but it is doubtful if
any nation will have team at Athens.
1t Is even questionable if the cricketing
feature will be q success, for a similar
| reason.
The Marathon race will undoubtedly be
the star event of the meeting. The course
will be taken along the highway from
Marathon and will end in the stadium
1t will be started at noon, and the road
| will be properly guarded and reserved. 1t
is in this race that the good American or
English cross country runner is expected
| to shine.
All the other races will take place in the
| stadium.
A great deal of interest is also manifest
| ed in the contests with the discus. Discus
| throwing is similar to the American game
| of quoits, but is more difficult. The win