Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-01-15

trials, fourteen nations rose from their
couches, salaamed to the official
herald, and followed him through the
dark tunnel to the arena.
When they stepped onto the track
the roar of 100000 voices gave them
greeting-70,000 rising in their seats to
get a better look, and 10000 or $4,000
others on the hills without. standing
yet higher on their toes, the better also
to see. Every man that stood there in
spiked shoes drew up more snugly yet
the waistband of his trousers and
placed his soul, so far as it cared for
his reputation, in the trust of his best
angel. The sight was properly impress
sive.
1t was a great day for athletics, and,
incidentally, for Greece and America.
That great audience surged back and
forth with every effort of every good
athlete. AS each man came to try, all
alone, a speck in a great space, he
would be identified by the people and
his name whispered in expectancy. AS
he came again, having done well the
first time, the whispering rose to open
speech. When he looked winner, and
the competition was nearing an end
and the winds took it up and pretty
soon carried it to the outermost
corners of the kingdom. Even in the
islands of the Aegean sea there We're
men who knew the news that night
men who got it not by wire.
When he finally won his number
went up these 10000 people rose up
and proclaimed his greatness. Princes
distinguished for their birth. and citi-
Zens esteemed for their worth grasped
his hand provided they We're honorable
judges. and by that right close by at
the moment. Royalty. from its high
double seat of purple smiled and bowed
and looked a sweet approval. The flag
of the victor's country shot up to the
top of the tall mast. to make him feel
proud and to throw his fellow country
men into Mysteries. and a noble band
of 800 pieces turned itself loose on the
Olympic Victor's March, which is in
its breath of adulation to the Con
quering Hero or Hail to the Chief"
as incense 10 cigar smoke.
Fighting his way from the tunnel to the
dressing room. after having fought his
way out of the stadium. he encounters
strange men and women who had run
down from the hills to head him off. to
see him as he passes. to grasp the flying
hem of his bath robe as he goes by if
they can reach it over the guard raiD,
and to sing glorifying Mikes" and ''Zei-
tos' at his blessed form as he flies on. As
he steps toward the marble bathroom the
venerable man who approaches with the
towels, kotows to him and prayS the hon
or of kissing his hand. Others who may
have already been introduced to the proud
victor. embrace him fervently-What a
day. Friend-and kiss him rapturously
twice, on each blessed cheek. 1t is in
deed true that the. gods have been good
10 this gifted youth.
That was at Athens four years ago. and
that is but a short. diluted. restrained
account of the first day of twelve days
the presence of another 100000 people,
with that immortal band playing slow,
sacred music. the artistic diploma. the
sterling presentation cups, the superb
balls and jubilee celebrations generally,
the illumination of the classic Acropolis
all these served. each in its turn only to
mark time for delicious period that
would have its paretic victims if pro-
longed little while longer.
1t is not expected that to, the PAN
American exposition events there will be
attached the brilliancy or charm of set
ting or the depth of sentiment that sur
rounded the affair at Athens But an
equal. or even greater athletic excellence
striving for prizes. a stadium or pleas
ing style OF architecture and of large pro-
portions VIII be erected Tor the games,
and trophies in keeping with the dignity
of the competitions can be presented
In the old days the worth Of an Olym-
pic victor, was proclaimed to the vast as
sembly where the games were held. Lat
er, he was invested with the laurel
wreath in the temple, and when he re-
turned to his native city they preached
the wall for his entrance set up his
statue III a public place. wrote poems to
his renown, and. some cities pensionel
him for life. That sort of thing may no,
honor-a worlds championship honor
may be given here, and doubtless will be
awarded. As the Amateur Athletic Union
Is in charge there is no doubt but that
the matter can be arranged. Steps can
then ne taken to invite the leading ath-
letes of the world to take part.
1t is five years now since America has
entertained foreign athletic delegation
| bodies and one college body across. and
these. in most part. brought honor to
themselves and credit 10 their country
| The American athlete is popular and ad-
mired wherever he has tried himself out
European athletes would be not at ali
aVerse to making a trip over. There
should be no trouble about arranging for
a big intcrna tlonal meet at the Pam
American exposition next year.
In addition to the Olympic games.
which properly include only track and
field sports. there will be an athlete car
nivdl that shall embrace every form of
sport pra ct;ced on the western hemis-
phere and in our new possessions in the
Pacific ocean.
Our crack swimmers may DO given a
chance to try their speed against the
surf-riders and deep-divers OF Hawaii
and the Samoan Islands. and these. with
all our other later fellow-citzens, will bt,
given Il chance 10 demonstrate that tney
are something Ike the amphibious Great
ures around which travellers have writ
ten 81 many fascinating tales Doubt
less II next summer is a long warm sea
son, these warmer-bOoded Americans
may stay long enough to master the
beauties of water polo. In that case
those robust young men who frolic in the
tanks OF the Boston, Knickerbocker New
YORK and Chicago athletic clubs will have
a line opportunity to find out if these
beach combers are really SO very much
at home in the water
The characteristic games of the Span-
lsh-speaklng nations of the two CONT
nents the peculiar recreations of the In
dian, the diversions Of the Esqulmaux
the sports of all the odd tribes and na-
tons north and south will be illustrated
here, II the matter can possibly be
brought about. The two things barred
Will be snow-shoeing and skating for
want. of ice and snow, and bull-fightins..
to which, despite the liberal ideas Of
these days of.progress, it would seem the