The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-07-26
GAMES SMOKE DRIFT
BUDGET or NEWS FROM ONE or
THE AMERICAN TEAM.


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Flanasas.s Close Shave with the hammer
-BritIshers Team Running Failed to
Beat sheppard-Enslish Pretend Mere
Knowledge OF Discus Than tho Greeks.
Interesting scraps OF news continue
to float across from London, all Of which
convey the idea that the Olympic games
have had q number Of features neglected by
the expert writer's. This Is particularly
the case with regard TO the details Of some
Of the most important races, and these were
SOM of the most sensational In the history
OF amateur sport. Other things left un-
touched too were the p~eculiaritles Of the
different teams, their methods Of oompeti-
ton, their conduct on the field. and 80 on.
By the latest mail a letter from a member
which escaped the people at the other
end Of the cable. It says:
Long before this reaches Park Row
the American team will be pretty well scat
tered, for already some Of the boys are
preparing their grips for the a The
weight men and distance racers are all
through and they are going to take in some
sets Of games in Scotland and Ireland.
Flanagan. and McGrath are booked for
a match at the Dublin Metropolitan Police
Sports on August 8 and after that they are
to compete in Tipperary and Limerick.
John had a very close call from losing
in the stadium and I wonder II the story
ever reached America He was In the
same section as McGrath and in his first
two throws he tried the triple turn and
made fouls. Then he dropped one turn
and kept the circle the next time. using only
two. 1t was a close shave for John and the
nerviest stunt he ever did. MoGrath was
satisfied with what he did and the way his
leg stood the test Of the throwing. The
ground was very bad.
Il suppose everybody In America wal
surprised at the showing Sheppard made
In the 1900 meters. Well, he ran a great
race and deserves all the credit. But mind
you, neither Harry nor Mike thought he
had much chance in the final. Their hope
was that il 1t was q slow race he had more
speed at the finish than the Englishmen
and he might do something. Luckily
enough 1t was a slow ace. although ! be-
lieve the Englishmen did not intend 1t that
way. They were dead on to what would
suit Sheppard and they started TO give him
what he didn't want. but it never came OF.
1t all came out after the race that Fair
BARN Crawford, Hallows INT o ey were
to do the pacing for Wilson. Fairbairn-
Crawford led of. but the gait was poor and
he was followed by Loney In the second
lap. All the time Sheppard was close be-
hind the leaders and running along easily.
On entering the third lap the pace was evil
IDENTIFY too slack for Wilson and he ook
the lead and from there on did his own
pacing. As they came into the home
stretch. Wilson was well In the lead, but
Sheppard began to come and inch by inch
he drew up on the Briton. About fifty
yards from the tape Sheppard pulled up
level and from that in beat the Englishman
about q yard.
There never was such excitement over a
race and even the Englishmen and women
who were on their feet did not cit down for
a while afterward. Wilson is a little bit of
a fellow and runs beautifully-something
like Tommy Connect. He is only 8 feet
inches tall and is but 115 pounds in weight;
years Of age. He told me afterward that
had the race been faster he could have
finished in 3:SS or maybe better; that the
4 minutes vas seconds was about s;24
for the mile. He also admitted that Shep-
pard could beat him any day IN q allow race,
as he had more speed. but II they had to
run again the tactics and pace would be
.Hailows accused Jimmy Sullivan Of
jostling him. but as Jimmy had the pole
at the time the shufhing was supposed to
nave taken place the judge paid no heed to
the protest. Anyway, Jimmy did not cross
the finish line. although he was close up and
could have made fourth, Hallows was
third. about Is yards behind Wilson. Out:
side Of the little tilt between Hallows and
Jimmy il was as clean a run race as ever
l saw.
There are a few things In regard to the
opening parade Of the athletes worth men
tioning. OF the teams that trooped by
King Edward the Firms were the only
nation without a flag, and it was really a
lonesome sight to see them step along
without a bit Of color to denote their ma
tionality. They had their flag ready but
were prevented from using It at the last
moment by the action Of the Russian Chief
Consul at London. The Firms were led by
Jaervinen. the big discus thrower.
in connection with our own flag and
standard bearer there Is quite a bit OF ]
merriment going the rounds Of the team. |
team. and when the parade arrangements
were published they got around Martin
Sheridan and p~ursuaded him that he was
the proper man TO be standard bearer,
though at that time 1t was already settled
that Rose and Garrels were to head the
boys. Martin got Keen on the suggestion
right away and was delighted at the thoughts
of cutting a caper In front Of the King with
the Stars and Stripes f1uttering above him.
But IL was no go with Matty; he turned
down Martin, and Martin is sore ever since.
THE Greek style of throwing the discus
is a contest liable to develop into a farce
at this meeting; that ie, to judge by the way
things are going now. Out in the stadium
yesterday G.. s. Robertson and Val Hunter
were there watching the fellows practising.
and their definition Of a fair throw means
that the Greek rules will not be carried out.
Robertson said that this pendulum motion
of the arm by the side was all a sham and
that it was only a crazy notion OF the Greeks
and that they had nc authority from an
cient times for introducing such a wrinkle.
Georgantas, the Greek, Is here and throw
ing 1t very nice, but I can tell you right now
that he won't be heard Of the day OF the
competition. Dearborn, Horr, Garrels,
Sheridan and all the rest Of the boys are
walloping it out with a DUN arm swing,
for they say 1t will go on the day OF the
trials.
1.-THE very newest things at the games Is
what is called L'Assaut az Pistolet,' a
pastime invented by DR.. De Yillers Of Paris.
1t Ia the devil OF a game, l tell you, and CON-
sists Of q duel with pistols loaded with wax.
The two men who take part In the combat
are we'll protected by masks. with lenses for
the eyes. There is a canvas jacket to cover
Tho hp1v and lapOinUa nj fha anna material