Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-07-20
AMERICANS STILL CONFIDENT
Yankee Athletes Confident Of Win.
ming Olympic Track Honors,
MARATHON RACE COMES FRIDAY
Great Interest is Taken In Long
Distance Run-Queen Alexandra
to Distribute Prizes
Saturday.


games at the stadium had big lead over
all other nations in the number Of wins in
the contest for supremacy in all sports,
most Of which, however, were scored in
competition in which other nations took
place. almost doubled that lead the last
week and. Furthermore, overlook the Amer
ican team in the count for track and field
events. But this has not served to dis
hearten the American athletes and those
of their countrymen who accompanied them
to England.
James e. Sullivan. the commissioner rep
resentng the United States, said to the
Associated Press this evening:
I'VE have come here to win the cham
pionship in field sports and we are going
to do 1t despite the handicap from which
we are suffering. This handicap has been
two-fold. In the first place the men came
to country having the worst possible cli-
mate for those unused to it, and this af-
fected them very seriously, more seriously
than those not engaged in the games have
any idea of 1t is not only that the men
cannot get into their best form, but these
weather conditions make them low-spirited.
They hoped to get a little sunshine at
Brighton, but it has been as bad there as
in London.
1.-THE other handicap against which we
the heat drawings have been conducted.
The drawings have gone against us in the
500 metre race, when our best men, Shep-
pard and Halstead, were pitted against each
other, and the same thing occurred in the
SOO-metre event, the heats of which will be
run off tomorrow. Sheppard and Halstead
were drawn against each other for second
time. Bromilow and Ramey also have been
put into a heat together in this event, while
in two other heats of the sOO-metres not a
single American has been drawn. 1t is
either extraordinary bad luck or the man
ner in which the drawings have been made
that has resulted in such unfavorable con-
ditions for the Americans. We have tried
to find out how the drawings are con-
Quoted, but have not been able to get any
thing from the Amateur Athletic association
officials except the reply: THE drawings
have been made in the usual way"
Sprints, Hurdles and Jumps.
Mr.. Sullivan concluded by saying:
The United Kingdom had its innings in
the distance events last week. the Ameri-
cans will have their turn this week in
! the sprints, hurdles and jumps"
The men who are to uphold the su-
premacy OF America in these sports have
been training at Brighton. 1t will be i'm
possible to surpass the United Kingdoms
:.
cans expect very early in the week to
! wipe out the lead OF fourteen points in
field sports which the representatives of
the United Kingdom hold over them. The
! figures up 10 Sunday night counting by
the American method, in the field and
track events are: United Kingdom "a;
, America, 40. Eleven events still remain to
be contested, exclusive of the Marathon
race, in all Of which the American team
will add to their score:
These events are standing broad Jump,
. running broad jump, high jump. pole
vault, 100, 300, 400 and 800 metres flat races,
ITO and 400 metre hurdle races and the
relay race.
While of course the Americans realize
that none Of these will be a walkover
they do not fear the European competitors
I as much they do the two Canadians
9 Kerr, the sprinter, who has easily beaten
: every one he has met in England, and
4 Archibald the clever pole vaulter
Ready for Marathon.
\ II the Indian, Longboat, is allowed to
run in the Marathon, which II is believed
o he will. the committee having already de-
cided not to allow the protest filed against
him by the American committee, It is
likely that the prize in this event again
a will go to Canada. There have been reports
d in circulation of accidents to the Indian
runner and also that he is not well. but
e those who know the ways of Longboats
: manager do not give these much consider
alton. There is a lot OF money being bet
or the result of the Marathon the English
men freely backing A. Duncan OF the Sal
. ford Harriers and T. Jack, another smart
long distance man. while the Canadians are
ready to support their man almost to any
amount.
The Americans who will compete In the
. Marathon are: Joseph Forshsw, Missouri
, Athletic club Sydney II. Hatch, First
Regiment Athletic association. Chicago;
: John ]. Hayes, Irsh-American Athletic
club; T. P. Morrissey, Mercury Athletic
8 club; NJ. ]. Ryan, Irsh-American Athletic
= club; Lewis Tewania, Carlisle Indian
school; A. r. Welton, Young Mems Chris
9 tian association. Tewanina Is thought TO
e have a good chance of winning. but he is
g feeling the effects of the climate and is
d also complaining that his knees are giving
: him trouble. The race will bring together
4 the most cosmopolitan lot of competitors
Of the whole Olympic games.
Distribution of Prizes.
The Marathon will be run on July a. as
on July rs. the serious work being finished.
N there will be more ceremonies. as on the
opening day The prizes are to be dis
tributed that afternoon and n the weather
is fine this feature of the Olympic meeting
e will be a pretty one Queen Alexandra is
= to preside over the affair and II the king
10 should attend he will take no part in the
T proceedings in any way. Her majesty, who,
e with other royal personages and their
II suites. will occupy the royal box, and will
+ be assisted In the distribution of the prizes
II by ten duchesses, two OF whom
Il probably will be Americans The duchesses
s will hand the prizes to the winners from
IS tables placed on the turf Immediately in
n front Of the royal box. AS each successful
athlete receives his medal he will walk up
to the royal box and bow to the queen It
Is hoped to conclude this ceremony within
} an hour and half.
e Following is the program OF events for
!, Monday in the order in which they will
i occur:
L, Morning:
h Arskery-Continental competition at 20
metres.
e Swimming-lOO metres, semi-final
e Swimming-High diving, heat,
- Afternoon:
II SWimming-lO0 metres final