The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-08-19
FINAL SCORE TRACK
AND FIELD EVENTS.

London.-It was the United States
first and all the other nations which
competed in the Olympic games no
where when Queen Alexandra person
ally performed the task OF handing
gold medals to the winners. In all
the Queen of England distributed
twenty-seven medals to the winners
of the different athletic contests, and
of the total fifteen, or more than half,
were American. The twelve other
medals were divided among the other
nations of the world.
The supremacy Of the American
athlete was conspicuously demon
strated on the last day Of the Olympic
sports. It was 4 o'clock in the after
noon when Queen Alexandra, attend
ed by several members of the Royal
family, reached the Stadium, her COM
ing being signalized by the playing
of the national anthem and the IN
furling of the Royal standard.
She took her seat just in time to
see four Americans, A. B. Shaw, F. c.
Smithson, w. M. Rand and ]. c. Gar
rels fight out the final, in the 10
metre hurdle act among themselves.
The representatives Of all other ma
lions had been forced out in the trial
heats.
At the conclusion of this event,
which Smithson won in fifteen Sec
onds, making a new record, the
Queen saw the American team win
the 16O0-metre relay race in hollow
fashion. This was the last event OF
the Olympic sports, and the Stars and
Stripes was the last flag to be official
ly unfurled at the staff in the centre
of the arena to signal to the world
the nationality of the winner.
Out Of a.. possible 239 points the
Americans won a total of ia 1-3,
with 124 2-3 points going to all the
other nations.
Prior to the coming Of Queen Alex.
andra the winners of second and third
places in each contest were given stl,
yer and bronze medals, respectively,
while special commemorative medals
were given to all Of the contestants
regardless of where they finished
Diplomas of special merit were also
awarded. A large crowd came to the
Stadium to witness the closing func'
.tions, many women being present
their bright gowns and v~ari-coloreo
sunshades making a brilliant picture
The winners of silver and bronze
medals, diplomas Of special merit anc
special commemorative medals formed
on the far side of the arena, while
the band Of the Grenadier Guard:
played the national anthems OF al
the countries represented. Then the
drums and bugles of the Irish Guard:
sounded the advance, and the sue
cessful competitors marched by the
cycle track to a number OF tables op'
posite the royal box, where the silver
medallists received their tokens from
the Duchess of Rutland. The win
ners of the bronze medals were giveI
their prizes by Catherine, Duchess OIL
Westminster, while the diplomas Of
merit and the commemorative med
ais were presented by Lady Desbor'
ough. 49,.
As the. prizes were being distrib'
uted the band played national folH
songs. The Americans were the only
athletes to wear their track uniforms
They naturally were in a large ma
iority, having carried off most OF the
prizes. The American riflemen VIII
were victorious at Bisley appeared II
natty khaki uniforms, with American
Ghields on their breasts.
After receiving their medals the
winners were given their diplomas
and a sprig of oak from Windsor for