Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1904-08-29
THE WORLDS BEST ATHLETES
Contest For Honors AT Opening OF
Great Olympic Game In
ST. Iotfis.

st. Louis, Mo-, August 29.-The
worlds fair Stadium, spacious though
il is. was scarcely large enough to ac-
commodate the thousands of spectators
present today at the opening of the
great OIypmic games. The opening
events were of a minor character, but
the large number of participants and
their splendid performances gave a
good idea of what is in store for the
remainder of the week, when the
worlds best athletes will compete in
the Marathon race, the discus throw,
the sprints and other events that make
up the most remarkable programme of
athletic events in modern times.
The entry list for these games,
which have attracted the attention of
nations, surpasSes in number of con-
testants both of the previous meets of
the kind, the first of which was held
at Athens in 1896 and the second at
Paris in 1900. The foreign countries
represented include Germany, France.
Greece. Italy, Canada, New Zealand,
Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, Bo-
hemia, the Transvaal. Scotland, Ire
land, Cuba, Mexico and Prince Ed
wards Isalnd OF course the best en-
try list by far is that of America.
Each district of the Amateur Athletic
Union has sent its full quota of ath-
letes, men who are trained TO the hour
and prepared to keep the Stars and
Stripes flying from the fiagpole from
the sound of the gong today until
the last event has been decided next
Sunday.
The greatest interest outside of the
American teams is displayed in the
Greeian representatives. These num-
Der nearly dozen, and among them
are four entries, which, according to
the records contained on their entry
blanks, bear witness to the fact that
all competitors will be compelled to
perform mp to championship form TO
win. Foremost among the athletes
from Greece is Dematrius Tofalos,
who has records for lifting the bar
bell and the dumb bell with one hand
which are sufficient to keep the best
men in the world worrying. In the
discus throw there are two Grecian
entries--Georganto and Kakouisis.
Greece will also be well represented
in the Marathon race to be run tomor-
row. Hungary has entered team of
six men-two for fencing, two for
swimming aud two for athletics. Ger
many also has team of six men,
while Ireland, France and England
are represented by several of their
stars.
America confidently expects to carry
off all the honors in the track events.
This confidence does not seem to be
misplaced in view of the number of
crack sprinters entered for the go, 100
and 300 metre races. Included in the
list are Hahn, of Milwaukee. Robin
son. of the Greater New York Ath-
letic Association, Hunter, of Louis
willie, Eaton, of Cambridgeport, Hogen-
son. of Chicago, Walsh, of the New
York Athletic Club, Peter, of Louis
vile. and Sneidiger and Abadie, of
the Pacific Athletic Association. In
the 400 metre race are Helman, of the
New York Athletic Club, Behrens,
of the Missouri Athletic Club, Moul-
ton. of Kansas City, Osler, of Chicago
and Page, of Milwaukee. Outside
of the track events the weights will
attract more than ordinary interest
when Flanagan. Rose, Plaw and
Thomas come together. Two excel
lent performers in the high hurdles
will be brought together on Thursday,
Sohule, of Milwaukee, and Scheideler,
of Indiana University. In the pole
vaulting the contestants will include
Dvorka. of Chicago. Dole, of Califor-
MIA, Samse, of Indiana, Durland, OF
nliniis, and Anderson, of New York.