Albuquerque citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1907-1909, 1908-07-13
OLYMPIC GAMES SEGIN
IN LONDON ARENA
TODAY
Twenty Two Countries Are
Represented and 1000
Athletes Are
ConteSting.
ta; A EXPECTS
TO WIN SEVERAL
The Best Athletes of the World
Are Entered In Biggest Inter
national Field Meet Ever At
tempted-He Rain Mars
First Days Progress.

l<uhupll, July 1os-lNO
athletes, representing many countries,
gathered this morning for the open
ing of the Olympic games. The wealth
er was most disagreeable, owing to a
downpour of rain, which somewhat
dampened the enthusiasm of the con-
testants. The events are being held
in the new stadium. which was re-
Gently completed.
The stadium itself is a wonderful
structure. 1t will seat $4,000 specta-
tors. The central lawn Is 210 yards
long and 100 yards wide. On the
western edge is a swimming tank 109
yards in length. Along the outer edge
of the arena is a cement cycle track.
backed UP very high at the curves.
1t is II yards wide and the lap is
three-eighths of a mile
On the inner side of the cement
track is strip of turf five yards wide.
intended to prevent accidents to rae
ing cyclists who may leave the track.
Within this track is the cinder path.
1t Is eight yards in width and meas
ures three laps to the mile.
The arena in which the short dis
tance events, such as hurdle races,
gymnastics, archery and other sports
will take place, is far larger than the
arena In the Coliseum at Rome, which
measured about so yards by so yards
While the games begin today. they
Will last throughout July. The most
thrilling event of all will be the Mara
thon race on July "a. The race will
be run over approximately 20 miles
OF country roads, the finish being one
lap round the stadium. The first
competitions to be decided will be in
cycling, swimming, water polo and
wrestling. Gymnastics will occupy
July IA, 10 and 16. Fencing will be
decided in special ground adjacent
to the main inclosure July 16. Arch
cry will occupy July II, Is and 20.
The athletic events number 20, of
which America will compete in %.
They include flat races over 100, 200,
400, 500 and 1900 meters, five miles,
a steeple chase over $4,000 meters
two miles,, a three mile race and a
relay race of a mile between national
teams, hurdle races over 110 and 400
meters, walking races over $500 me-
ters and 10 miles, throwing the ham
mer, putting the weight and tug-of-
war.
Reports of trial swims and dives by
some of the European athletes make
the prospect for America winning in
water less promising than was gem
orally expected.
Paul RadmilOvic, a Welsh cham
pion. dubbed the human pickere,,"
is reported to have done 22O yards in
2:3O l-5 in "a private trial. This is
better time than Daniels or any other
swimmer in the world, save one-B.
Keran of Australia-eyer made for
this distance. keran's worlds record
for 220 yards is 2 minutes rs 2-5 sec
onds.
Last year this same Radmilovic per-
son won place in every English
except the 100, in
which he was fourth in 1901 30. He
defeated IL. Taylor, the mile cham
pion, and kausch of Germany for the
long distance title. In the 200" he
was second to Halmay of Hungary
ana defeated Daniels.
over all routes between 25 and $50
yards Daniels, however, Is in a class
by himself HIS worlds record lOO-
yard swim in 90 20 seconds is the
accredited to a swimmer.
Aside from Daniels it cannot be
said that the proper care was taken
~ secure the best men on the Amer
can side, and the great amount of
criticism heard vas in a measure mer- /
ted. With such as he has at hand, I
loweyer Manager Halpin is not with /
)ut hope.
HcbncE who ~ but 16, IS a good .
iprinter as is Rich, and both may
inish in the money in the lO0-meter
vent. Gaidzik is the cleyerest Amer
can diver, and has several good speed
ecords TO mis- credit. Trubenbach has
! 44O-yard record of 6:27. Barney
ieran's record for this route is 5:l9.
GOODWIN has an SS0-yard record of
3,O2 20. keran's time for this dis
ance Is ll:ll 3-5. Goodwins record
or the mile is 3O:OS 30. Keran's
nile record is 23:l6 4-5. Goodwin
lolds the worlds Marathon record,
aying swan against tide from TraV-
rs island TO Larchmont Yacht club
ouse, " miles, Long Island sound,
n 2:O5:l5 2-5. For the relay team
ialpin will have Daniels, Goodwin
nd Hebner, and for the fourth man
an select either Rich. Foster. Tru-
enbach or Goessling.
Here are few miscellaneous