The Globe-republican., 1896-11-26

Ud4uCS VI
1896" The article
is accompanied by
4 number of striking illustrations by
Andre Castaigne Baron Coubertin
says:
It is interesting to ask oneself what
are likely to be the results OF the
Olympic games of 1896, as regards both
Greece and the rest of the world. In
the case of Greece the games will be
FOUND to have had double effect, one
athletic, the other political. It is a
wellknown fact that the Greeks had
lost completely, during their centuries
Of oppression, the taste for physical
sports. There were good walkers
among the mountaineers, and good
swimmers in the scattered villages
pride with the young palikar to wrestle
and to dance we'll, but that was be-
cause bravery and a gallant bearing
were admired by those about him.
Greek dances are far from athletic, and
the wrestling matches of peasants have
none of the characteristics of true
sports. The men of the towns had
come to know no diversion beyond
reading the newspapers and violently
discussing politics about the tables of
the cafes.
The Greek race, however, is free
from the natural Incidence of the orr
entail, and it was manifest that the ath-
letic habit would, if the opportunity
offered, easily take root again among
its men. Indeed, several gymnastic as
sociations had been formed in recent
years at Athens and Patras, and row.
ing club at Piraeus, and the public was
showing a growing interest in their
feats. It was therefore a favorable
moment to speak the words, Olympic
Games" No sooner had it been made
clear that Athens was to aid in the re-
vival of the Olympiads than a perfect
fever of muscular activity broke out
all over the kingdom. And this was
nothing to what followed the games.
I have seen, in little villages far from
the capital, small boys, scarcely out
of long clothes, throwing big stones or
jumping improvised hurdles, and two
urchins never met in the streets of
Athens without running races.
Nothing could exceed the enthusiasm
with which the victors in the contests
were received on their return to their
native towns, by their fellow-citizens
They were met by the mayor and
municipal authorities and cheered by
a crowd bearing branches of wild olive
and laurel. In ancient times the VIC
tors entered the city through a breach
made expressly in it's walls. The Greek
cities are no longer walled in, but one
may say that athletics have made a
breach in the heart of the nation.
When one realizes the influence that
the practice of physical exercises may
have on the future of a country and
on the force of a whole race, one is
tempted to wonder whether Greece is
not likely to date a new era from the
year 1896. 1t would be curious indeed
If athletics were to become one of the
factors in the Eastern question! Who
can tell whether, by bringing a not
able increase Of vigor to the inhabi-
tants of the country, it may not hasten
the solution of this thorny problem?
These are hypothesis, and circum-
stances make light of such cs.cula-
tons at long range.
But a local and immediate conse-
quence of the games may already be
found in the internal politics of Greece
1 have spoken Of the active part taken
by the crown prince and his brothers,
Prince George and Prince Nicholas. in
the labors Of the organizing commit
tee. 1t was the first time that the
heir apparent had had an opportunity
of thus coming into contact with his
future subjects. They knew him to
be patriotic and high-minded, but they
did not know his other admirable and
solid qualities. Prince Constantine in
herits his fine blue eyes and fair col
oring from his Danish ancestors, and
his frank, open manner, his self-poise
and his mental lucidity come from the
same source; but Greece has given
him enthusiasm and ardor, and this
happy combination of prudence and
high spirit makes him especially adapt
ed to govern the Helenes. The author
ity. mingled with perfect liberality,
with which he managed the commit
tee, his exactitude in detail, and more
particularly his quiet perseverance
when those about him were inclined
to hesitate and to lose courage, make
It clear that his reign will be one Of
fruitful labor. which can only strength
en- and enrich his country. The Greek
people have now a better idea of the
worth of their future sovereign; they
have seen him at work. and have
gained respect for and confidence in
him.
RVu