Waterbury Democrat., 1901-01-18
OLYMPIAN GAMES.

oiymplan games have been revived py the Union Athletique Information ale with headquarters in France. and the next in all probability will be scheuuled for the Pan-American ex- position next summer.
 They will be held for the most part III tlie stadium. which is the only arti hclal arena ever built to rival in size ana appurtenances the famous CoIos scum at Rome
 The world moves in cycles. Tbou- sands of years ago physical training was regarded with great favor by the most progressive nations of the age. III Sreece, time was reckoned by the Olymplad, the period of time between the Olympian games which were held once in four years.
 The Dorlc principle expressed in the constitution of Sparta encouraged bodily exercise by maidens that they might develop we'll rounded and beau- t1ful forms. Games and dances were devised for which prizes were offered With view of encourag ginc them in their best efforts.
 Ihls marked the fundamental prin- ciple of Grecian athletics. They knew what other people have been slow to recognize, that only strong healthy mothers have well formed, robust chil- dren. Religion and beauty of form were closely allied. Man resembled his creator, therefore the more sym metrfcal he became the nearer he ap- preached the form divine.
 Intellectual qualities developed as q natural sequence. evidence of which is preserved in their architecture, fine arts and philosophy.
 The Ionic race met for the purpose of holding their festival of games on the little Island of Delos. This was the most ideal Grecian athletic con- gress. as it included both sexes and was composed of the finest specimens of manhood and the most beautiful women who ever comprised the units of an aSsemblage.
 Careful training for generation lad been conducted with view of intelli- gently developing the best physical qualities of both sexes. The object being ethological in it's scope eXerted q powerful sociological influence. Brute strength was not encouraged, as at Rome, or in some of our latter day prize fights and football matches. but the true esthetic importances of we'll balanced intellect supported by q sound constitution seems to have been we'll understood and intelligently | sought for.
  cism in which the morbid neglect of | the body was prominently marked may be traced the downfall of Greece. | Strong athletic individuals usually hold the important positions in any | country. As the nation is but q col | lection of individuals, it naturally fol | lows that national prominence is di- rectly dependent upon individual ca pacity. A good physique is as impor- | tant to the active intellect as steam | to an engine.
 The science of athletics at the pres ent time is slowly assuming the inn l portance in the estimation of the bet | ter classes that it attained during the | palmy days of ancient Greece. The l tournament at the Pan-American is not more of an exponent of better phy- | sical development than it is q factor in the general universal movement in this direction. Physical instructors in our more advanced schools and col leges have for years not only taught and demonstrated that good health and q thorough enjoyment of life may be promoted and acquired by system atic exercise. Athletic associations and private clubs have encouraged the | movement until it is now assuming very gratifying prominence.