The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-02-13
GREE IL ! I: = GETTING READY
|eIsat Preparation GoIng Forward for the
0lynniaR= 6amas.
lobe y !: HELD on APRIL is TO Is, 1896.
sEats sBetails OF the Programmed I'm
certainty Regarding the Attend.
& an Accommodate for Guests
Cost OF the Journey Thit her-Iios.
ESsSS pltniitJ rfhc Athcnians.
Copyright. 1895, by s. S. Mcclure, Lin
tod

81 Copyright, 1895, by S. S. Mcclure, Lin
s$ Y d 4. ited)
Athens, Greece, Feb 12.-It Is to the
ancient Greeks that we owe the recog-
55 milton of athletic sports us constltu-
IA ent part OF systematic education. Inc
81 first formal provision which an ancient
ISL Athenian made for the education OF his
& boy was In the selection OF q competent
spaedotribe, whose business 1t was to In
duct the T-year-old STRIPPING into the
Ssmysteries of wrestling, and then tt
Rs teach him in due succession running,
4 leaping and quot throwing. Wrestling
VI always remained the corner stone OF the
4 educational system In much the sense
stthat arithmetic unfortunately has been
4 In ours. 1t was used to develop In the
I pupils not so much brute strength. as
Il suppleness of body, craftness or plan,
Z quickness of movement and concentra-
5ttion of purpose. 1t served therefore
81 much the same purpose that the game
e Of football when properly played does
4 with US, though 1t lacked one Important
i educative feature of football, for which
4 the, Greeks had sore need, namely, the
Y cultivation of the sense for organized
effort. The best modern representa-
9 lives OF the Greek idea have been the
4 English. Among the Germans athletic
exercises have been too MUCH domino
Il ted by the military ideG, and the In
stinets Of competition, risk and spor,
held TOO my ysssi in restraint The beauty
~ " TUG SEeek-English athletics has been
s;,R tug Gstensity and vividness of natural
= !terest associated with the physical
\ exercise.
OF late years the French have been
4 making rapid strides in the introduc-
~ ton and establishment of athletic sports.
ten years the so-oalled athletic
( mania "has wrought change in the
interests, occupations and morals Of the
q upper class of French young men that
q amounts almost to q social resolution"
And yet the French system Of athletics
II 10 almost a direct imitation of the Eng
81 lish. The rules and, even in many
81 cases. the technical terms Of the games
4 are English Tennis Is always played
( by help of lot" ''love" and deuce"
s When now 1t appears that the initia-
4 tive TO the revival of the Olympic
n games comes from France, we must
As not forget to assign to England, IS the
En- true godmother of the newborn French
s athletic seal, her proper credit for the
"a result. On June 18th, 1894 an interna-
~ tlenal congress was held at Paris In the
nv Sorhoune, under the auspices of the
III Union de Societies Franchises dc Sports
sg Athletiques. At this congress 1t was
d decided to revive the Olympian games
81 est possible approximation to ancient
type and standards. and upon thor
S&oughly international basis. The COM
s. petltors were to appear as representa-
lives OF their nationality. None but
amateurs were to compete. No money
prizes. but only badges of honor were
Z TO be offered. The first celebration OF
the games was to be at Athens, April
5.l5th. 1896. The whole scheme was
placed In charge of permanent inter-
& national committee under the presi-
aehcy or the distinguished GREGG lit
4 csateur Demetrlas Bikelas. The sec
J. fetary FOR the first year, or until the
occurrence of the first games is Baron
! Paris).
The assurance that Greece would nc
cept the responsibility thrown upon her
1or; the first year and would do the ut
Z MOST 10 insure success was amply given
4 when the Crown Prince OF Greece CON,
( sehteo 10 accept the presidency of the
special Greek committee. He is emit
nentiy ntted for his post, not only by
-. saxon ana by the universal conf
aence and affection with which he is
regarded among his people, but also bv
4 nls intimate personal acquaintance with
z hno interest In athletic sports TJa hae
!! proved 70 be no mere Ggurehead, on the
s committee. Every detail of ORGANISE
I'm, pans and rules has passed under
nis most rigid inspection. Many Of the
nose important provisions are the result
q, a's original suggestion. A consIdera-
We Portion Of his time every day IS now
uevoteo to the matter. The member.
mp OF Ne committee includes the mnst
Shihent nNn Of Greece At the heod NJ
sIe council stands the present Prime
3 Mlnister, Delynni. The general sacra-
y vary or the committee is II. Philemon
a,or1ner Mayor Of Athens, and desarv'
saiy one OF the most popular and rs-
4 sspected men In the city.
ISL PREPARATION FOR THE CANES
s... what Is Greece doing itself bv w.y &c
Y preparation? First, as to wave az. ~
& Means. The call for yoluntarv s,,h
q Ssoriptlons brought In almost inmeafa,n
~ nearly $4,000 drachmas (drachmo 70
a VENTS SeHts). Besides this wealthy and 10
s snt Greek Of Alexandra. NJ Ava,psr
q oreo ou0,00O drachmas towars tho 49,,
y .oLation or an ancient Stadion 60.
.sitch ne mas since increased to ooo nnn
SaShnas, and will undoubted,,, 'v s,s,Y
u 1.,t increase, as the work p,av 80
yfE5 ~ u. furthermore, the Govarnns,
mas provided for form of suhsidv ..
s. riSPoses 10 issue for use durinr q,
;LlI ms a. special set Of postage So 49,
ING potai cards, and assign TO ~ ~, pS
q port OF Inc games one-haIf tha
.ssSingS, J.. E., one-half of all receint, o..n
y u 80 cost Of printing and en,a,s.
8 ~ average ordinary receipts for s.it
s. months. From this service ftboa,. nte
81 the prospective enthusiasm ~ $50 W
Il Scoiiectors) a minimum of 200 ooo S .anp
Ines Is assured. More money ho,,,sa