New-York tribune., 1908-09-01
A1HLETESAT SAG MORE
THE PRESIDENTS ADVICE.
Hearty Greeting and Congratnta-
tions at Oyster Bay.

The members of the Anescan olympic team
of 1908 will long remember their hear y recep-
ton by President Roosevelt at Sycamore Hill
yesterday. The feeling of the whole party was
we'll expressed by two of the winning athletes,
who insisted upon the President accepting one
of their medals. The President showed an init
mate knowledge of what each member of the
team had done end praised them individually
and collectively, giving at the end word of ad-
vice
You fellows have place for all time,
declared the President, "but feel like giving
YOU the advice I gave to my regiment when II
was disbanded: Remember that you are heroes
for ten days but when that time is up, drop
the hero business and go to work Fifteen or
twenty years from should not like to meet
some seedy individual and be told that he won
AT the OLYMPIC games of 1908 and had done
nothing since
For what is said to be the first time since he
has been President a large band Of photograph
ers was allowed to invade Sycamore Hill Just
before the athletes left the house the President
was requested to have the Secret Service men
admit the photograp piers and let them photo
graph him in the midst of the team. During
the visit cheers were given for "the greatest
President we've ever had and three times
before the parting cheers three enthusiastic
''FIurrahsi" We're given by the athletes
front door of the house. had spoken to each
member of the party. President Roosevelt as
senbled them in his library and made a short
talk of congratulation. He said he was espe-
ciaI1v proud Of the records in endurance con-
tests which the Americans had made. Foreign
ers had conceded our athletes other champion
shin qualities before, he said, but they had al
,yays said Americans had no endurance. Follow
ing this he led the way to the dining room.
where refreshments ready, and he talked
for some time TO James E. Sullivan, the Ameri-
can commissioner, and g number OF the athletes
individually.
NOT ENTHUSIASTIC ENOUGH.
A crowd gathered around the window seat
where the President and Mr.. Sullivan were sit
ting and during general conversation one OF
the men laughingly told the President he should
have seen how one American almost went wild
when member of the team won one of the con-
tests
Ibid he stand on his head?" asked the Presi
dent .No? Well. I'd have been more enthusi-
astic than he was If he didn't" he exclaimed.
laughing.
The two medals pressed upon him were won
bv Melvin w Sheppard and John ]. Flanagan
sbennard won both the 1.500-rnetre and 500
metre race this year at London, and presented
the medal for the 1.500-metre race to the
President. The president expFeSSed MS uetp ap-
preciation and also his unwillingness to take it
awav from the man who had won it. But Shep-
pard insisted.
Mr. Roosevelt had scarcely turned around
when John Flanagan. the champion hammer
tbrower presented - him medal he had won
four wears ago at ST. Louis. It was presented
IN him at that time by the Presidents daughter.
NOW Mrs. Longworth. he said. and he wanted
the President to have it.
This is very kind of you. but hate to take
| If from you. How many have you: he asked.
| ..Oh. don't know: can't keep track OF them,
| nswered Flanagan, with broad srrliie.
| "Weu IL you have so many you can't count
| them. I shall have TO accept this" exclaimed
| the President. laughing.
| During the visit President Roosevelt was in
| formed of his election to membership in ths
| Jrish-American Athletic Club. and expressed hi:
annreesation The steamer Sycamore. OF the
long Island Railroad. with the team aboard