Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-28
AMERICAN ATHLETES FULL Of CONFIDENCE
LEAVE FOR THE COMING OLYMPIC GAMES
Trainer Mike Murphy Sizes Up the Teams of Dfferen
Countries and Declares He Has Mech Reason for
Hope-Great Send-off for the Party.

evident by the size and generosity of the
reception accorded the team. There were
delegations on hand from every section
Of the United States from which the
members of the team came. There was
plenty Of cheering before the team wen,
on the boat, but it did not assume any
organization until the big ocean liner got
ready to steam out toward the Statue OF
Liberty. Then when the vessel got free
from the pier the din raised both on land
on the vessel itself resembled nothing
less than the uproar of big foot ball
game.
and Mike Murphy. the trainer had
everything in readiness for the athletes
The team Of seventy-five men and about
dozen others who were members Of the
party occupied one section Of the steam
ship and were naturally the cynosure OF
all eyes. The diplomatic Mike Murphy
met every athlete with his we'll known
glad hand" and soon had all the men
in the best Of spirits. The thing about
which the veteran trainer was most con-
cerned was that none of his charges
should succumb to seasickness. Mike Is a
good traveller himself. having taken three
teams to the other side.
''Seasickness is about one-half imagin-
ation." said Murphy in his first speech
to his men. Don't eat too much during
the first two days out. Keep on the
deck as much as you can and the cases
of real sickness will be mighty few
Training on Board Ship.
Trainer Murphy announced to the men
as soon as they found their quarters that
he would expect very little work OF them
during the first two or three days Of the
voyage. But he expects every man to
train every day if possible as soon as they
get well started on the voyage. The Phila-
delphia is booked to arrive at Southanp-
ton July 4. but II is doubtful If the yes
sci makes quite this good time, the gen
eraI expectation being that the team
would not reach Its destination before
Sunday forenoon.
Trainer Murphy said before the team
left that the only work the men would
do on the boat would be of a light char
acter. This will be much the same as
American athletes have done on previous
trips with Murphy. There will be short
Sprints on the deck of the steamer for
the Sprinters and jumpers. While the DIS
lance runners will be given exercises in
jumping up and down and dancing. This
serves to strengthen the wind and keep
the muscles firm. The weight men will
have an opportunity to put the shot and
do other stunts that will keep them IN
good condition. Murphy says that II he
can land his team in as good physical
condition as when the men leave America
he will be well satisfied.
On the other side 1t has been decided
by the American committee that all the
Murphy desired to have the men train al
brighton which has been the rendezvous
of former American teams but this plan
did not meet with the approval or the
committee, and James E. sullivan. WHO
went on ahead for the purpose OF arrang.
ing the details of the trip. found tna'
very good accommodations could De Sc
cured in London, and for this reason tne
team will be quartered at the Hotel MOT
ton. which IS not far from shepherd
Bush, where the games Will be neid. II
the team had been trained at Brighton II
would have been necessary to come w
from the shore each day. This. whlle
not costly for one or two men, Woulo
, soon mount up for seventy-hve. ana the
committee has found it necessary to
econom.ze wherever possible.
Sizing Up the Teams.
Trainer Murphy. although confident
that the Americans will win the track
and field championships, is not overconfi-
dent, and does not underestimate the
strength Of the Britons and Swedes. who
are sure to be the Americans stronges,
opponents Just before the vessel sailed
Mr. Murphy said in regard to the teams
prospects:
You don't want 10 make the mistake OF
walkover in this meet 1t is true enough
that our team is considerably stronger
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