The Washington herald., 1908-07-14

London, July 13-Berore King Edward
and other royalties, the Olympic games
were begun at the great Stadium al
Shepherds Bush this afternoon.
The parade Of committees and compet-
ing athletes took place as scheduled,
shortly after oclocl, this afternoon.
Forming in little groups at the further
corner Of the big inclosure, the COM
petitors from each nation took their
places and marched past the reviewing
stand. where stood King Edward Of
England, King Georgios OF Greece. King
Haakon OF Norway and Crown Prince
Gustat Adolf Of Sweden. together with
other royalties too numerous 20 mention.
After the parade .the King officially de-
clared the Stadium open for the inter
national contests. the national anthem
was sung, and the paraders gave three
cheers for their majestes.' The dctach-
ments marched of in alphabetical order.
England's proverbially inauspicious
weather was at its worst for the opening
of the games to-day Beginning late yes
terday afternoon. the skies poured rain
Not in any mere dismal drizzle. but with
an earnestness and enthusiasm which led
TO the belief that the clouds might them
selves be out after an Olympic record Of
some kind.
Record Fall of Rain.
For this day OF the year. the rainfall
was, in fact, record. being the heaviest
in more than twenty years. The official
statistlcians compute the amount az some
thing over 100 tons to the acre for the
neighbcrhood u London.
The great Stadium az Shepherds Bush
looked to-day as If il had been the par
ticular center of the disturbance. Large
pools Of water had formed In the cinder
track, and the turf throughout the In
quantities OF moisture which q had abb
sorbed.
The condition Of the ciuder track was
so bad that the prospects Of making any
records upon It until il has had several
( days OF sunshine are remote.
/ Engllshmen have. through long and
possibly painful experience. learned 10
assume a sublime indifference 70 weather
conditions; but this pose was impossible
| for the foreign athletes, on many Of
whom the sudden change has had a most
disastrous effect Many Of them. espe-
cIaIIy those from Southern climates, went
about the Stadium this afternoon bundled
| in heavy overcoats. their necks mufiied
and their limbs protected by a hastily
obtained supply Of winter underwear
The rain was accompanied by a sudden
drop in temperature OF nearly Is degrees.
Every Sent FILLED.
In spite Of adverse weather, no one,
apparently. stayed at home. The crowd
which began to clamor at the entrances
OF the Stadium early in the day exceeded
the most sanguine expectations Of the pro-
Imoters. and when the opening ceremonies
finally began there were fully $4,000 per-
sons within the inclosure. Every seat
was hIed.
Covers or light canvas had been hur-
triedIy put in place to shelter somewhat
the box holders and tho occupants OF
seats in the royal pavilion but the great
er part Of the spectators sat in their damp
!places and waited for the opening cere-
lmonies with that Jealous indifference
which only an English crowd can mani
fest
Thousands of foreigners were I'm tbeil
places also. The Americans, many o.
them wearing silk flags Of their country
or with sreamers OF red, white. and blue
ribbon at their lapels, were quite distinc
from the remainder Of the crowd Of spec
ltators Characteristicaly, all the Ameri
cans had booked their seats as close al
possible to the royal pavilion. thus get
ting the best possible view Of the variou:
royalties and the ambassadorial parties.
Meanwhile London ove-flows with IN,
crowd OF visitors who have come from
every corner of the glCbe for the purpOs,
Of witnessing the great Olympic spectacle
From the North Of England where tn,
sporting spirit is notably strong. many
thousands Of visitors have arrived durinl
the past three days while from all th'
country within a radius Of 200 miles tn,
influx has been enormous.
Many Foreigners Present.
Among the foreign visitors, who are al
ways numerous at this season OF the year
the United States. Sweden, and Franc
are about equally represented. Many o
these. OF course. are ordinary sightseer
of the kind which London sees on tn,
Strand and In the places Of interest ever,
day in the year but a still larger number
especially OF those from Sweden anC
France. are drawn here mainly by IN,
fortnight OF contests which began in IN,
: stadium to-day
! An indication OF the crowded state o
London is found in the fact that it il
next to impossible TO obtain motor car
or other sightseeing vehicles, nearly al
Of which have been booked for week
ahead by eager pleasure seekers. Th
hotels are overcrowded, their manager
declare. TO an unprecedented degree. an,
10000 Of the late comers viii find shelte
in boardlng-houses and private apart
ments
The American athletes were sornewha
downcast over the decisions OF the inter
! national committee ruling against then
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