The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-08-02

but the fact that England will BIO ;
back number in athletics until she be-
gins to live abreast of her times is /;
matter worthy of comment and deep
attentive consideration.
Americans Superior Athletes.
The London Times. commenting or
the Olympic games, expresses itself
thus.
We have learned some useful les
sons. especially that In speed ant
leans, and that in field events our men
We're as children by the side OF the
American athletes. or, to put 1T differ
emily, they were as amateurs compared
with professionals,
Our men have not been taught so
We'll; in many cases they have not been
taught at all. but they run and jump
and throw the hammer simply by the
Hight of nature. t
Our haphazard methods of training
served very we'll indeed so long az we
had bnly each other to contend with.
IL we are to compete against the world.
especially against such busiress-like
athletes as the Americans, with any
hope of Improving, we must be BUST
ness-likc. too. Then the question arises
as to whether 1t is worth while to
make a business of sport. Probably
1t isn't, so we shan't go far wrong in
the cause of true sport II we stick to
our antiquated methods.
Lord Dcsborongh's Courtesy.
One bright spot, in marked contrast
to the generally antagonistic attitude
and marked unfairness of the English
public toward thclAmerican team, is the
treatment they received at the hands
of Lord Desborougli, whose cordial in
terest and hospitable welcome of them
will long be remembered with feelings
of pleasure and gratitude. Lord Des-
borough is type of all that is best
in the true sportsman and lover of ath-
nj nj y- 4,
may claim as his home. In comments
ing on the games Mr.. Sullivan made
this reference to Lord Desborough and
his kind and attentive treatment OF
Americas representatives.
L should be a peculiar genius IL I
did not say everything possible In
of his great cour-
tesy and kindness as we'll az his sports
same. We have nothing against Brit
ish sportsmen as typified by Lord Des-
borough. He Is a type of sportsman
that that people love. all aver the world;
among the officials of the British ANA
tour Athletic Association.
Just, as soon as we arrived Lord
Desborough telephoned me, asking
knew he was a busy. overworked man,
but he came to see us at once. and
all through he has gone out of his way
to show how he appreciates the efforts
VI VIC lcdIl dtlllSLeS. ALL AIN
lous to record in the most sincere and
emphatic way possible our appreciation
and gratitude for all he has DONE
Expert views OF American athletes
on the subject of English athletics, az
evidenced in the olympic games, CAN
be thus clearly summed up these words;
of Mr.. Sullivan:
Meet Too, Big Proposition.
1.-THE fact Is" continued Mr.. Sullivan.
still referring to the A. a. A. officials.
"in addition to everything else the
meeting was too big proposition for
them; g bigger weight than they knew
how to swing. and they would not ask
men who knew for help. They are out
of date--twenty years behind the times.
They think that because a thing was
the custom twenty years ago 1t ought
to be now. Mind you. we wanted all
the nations. Finland, Sweden and the
rest. to be consulted Lord Desborough
was anxious, too, that the others
should be consulted. hrt the A. A. A.
wouldn't have IT,"