The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-06-04
CIV
CONTINUED from Page NineD

ing. boxing. wrestling and weight
throwing: later on the chariot race
was introduced and became very
popular. Most OF these events arc
am used by modern athletic meets
The Discus Hurting which was ons
OF their most graceful events was 9
subject for several sculptors best
work and still occupies leading
place In the athletic contests OF to-
day.
The effects on the Greeks OF these
games were many. one OF which was
to develop a love or reverence for
their dead In whose honor the games
were generally held for they thought
that the departed souls could rejoice
IN them. So they held these meets
at or near the tombs OF departed
heroes. /.
They also had games in honor OF
their different gods, Another effect
was on the art and culture OF that
time and 1t proved immense for the
training received from these contests
caused well developed bodies to be
turned out. This enabled the seulp'
tors OF that time to produce master
pieces which are still admired and
have never been surpassed even In
this age Of culture.
These games also enabled the
Greeks to build up strong nation
physically as well as mentally, for
strong mind usually Accompanies
strong body and this holds true in
this case because this is what en-
abled the Greeks TO lead In the affairs
of that time and to be a world power
and il was only after their interest
in these games became luke warm
that their power as a nation retro
graded
The good effect on the poets was
noticeable because they labored
months and months trying to
compose verses on the games or
Yietors for which prize was
given for the best work. The
games also promoted trade and
intercourse and turned the thoughts
of the people to higher things than
war and qaarelmg among them
solves, But with all these induce
ments 1t never tended to build up a
strong centralized government,
We should speak of the reception
given the winners OF these games
which was such as is never seen In
our time
Although the prize was garland
Of olive they priced 1t more highly
than II ii had been gold. The winners
names we're proclaimed throughout
the world and the dtfesent cities
from which the victors came Toasted
and held general holiday. All these
enthusiastic demonstrations urged the
athlete to put forth his best effort
and some of their best records com
pare favorably with those of the mod.
ern day.
The athlete OF to-day undergoes
some rigid training sach as care In
eating, drinking. smolSing--yet they
can hardiybs compared with those OF
the ancient Greeks.
1t 10 my opinion that the world Is
undergoing a physical culture reform
for vegetarians and people with ideas
Of fasting and exercising instead of
being looked upon as cranks are be-
ginning to be considered more ser.
iously and the different magazines
published on these subjects have their
circulation increased every year, also
the great number Of gymnasiums be-
ing built is q good proof.
This year at the Worlds Fair these
games win be held for about seven
months and all forms Of contests Will
be held and better records are expect
ed to be made and 1t Is thought that
these win he the most successful meet
ever held since revival OF these games
and Ii Is hoped that every one that
visits the fair will attend one OF these
games and get an idea OF them be
fore they condemn them.
JOHN JULIAN SHEEHAN, '04