The Washington herald., 1908-06-28
by WALTER CAMP.

tNihAAltlS. 4 ne AtSllNdt OF tllt OlNtul
games was conducted in a sacred grove
consecrated to the religious rites of the
Greeks. This grove was called Alts. II
was filled with temples. altars, and stat
ues, and the games themselves were held
in a stadium or hIppodrome located 20
the outside and on the east Of the grove.
while on the other side was large gym
nasium for the use Of the athletes.
The games were held once every four
years, the time Of the year corresponding
10 the end Of our July and first of August.
The prelimipares to the games were Of
the most extensive character. Heralds
were sent through all the provinces pro-
claiming the festival and a truce was de-
clarcd to all hostilities, rendering the ter
ritory inviolable during the period. Then
later upon the approach Of the games sa-
cred embassies were sent forth from each
section Of Greece with their offering to
Zeus and other deities. Then there fol-
lowed migratons Of the popuace hasten
ing 10 the games so that before the time
set the plain of Olympia was crowded
with people
On the first day the presentation OF
the initiatory offerings was made and
then the competitors were classified and
arranged. After this a great procession
containing all those who classified passed
around the stadium before the multitude.
the judges heading the procession. with
heralds accompanying it announcing the
name Of each competitor.
Judges Took Instructions.
The judges were chosen from among
the inhabitants Of Ellis and for ten months
preceding the contest passed through a
course of instruction IN their duties The
prizes were simply garlands Of wild olive
These were cut with a golden knife from
the sacred tree in the grove, but the vic
tor on his return home was treated with
the greatest acclaim. Songs were sung in
his honor and, with escorts, he was con-
Quoted 70 the temple OF the highest god I'm
his native city, where ne deposited his
wreath rs an Offering. Statues were erect
ed to him. He was exempt from public
taxes and in some cases received moneys
and other rights
Contestants were obliged 70 train for
ten months in the gymnasium and to take
oath that they had faithfully done this in
order to qualify. They also took oath in
the temple 10 obey the technical rules Of
the contest.
The games will be under the control Of
the British Athletic Council. the chairman
Of which is the Right Hon Lord Des-
brough of Taplow. one OF the best-known
and best-liked Of English sportsmen. Lord
Desbrough WAS a member of the Harrow
Cricket eleven He won the mile race
there. Later he rowed on the oxford
eight in lS'1-S He became president Of
the oxford Athletic Club and oxford
Boat Club In addition TO these distinc-
tons. he has won many prizes as a fenCer
and swordsman. besides being a man OF
mark as a swimmer and mountaineer
Tho American Olympic committee is
headed by the President Of the United
States as honorary president Caspar
Whitney. acting president and James f.
sullivan as secretary The principal part
OF the management rests IN the hands of
Mr.. Sullivan. a man Of the very widest
experience. the head OF the A A. Z. in
this country. and closely in touch with all
the Olympic affairs. His work mas led to
the great Improvement in amateur ranks
in the last decade Of the history Of our
athletics The Amateur Athletic Asso-
ciaton OF England and the Amateur Ath-
letic Union Of America have worked. hand
In hand In this matter
II was arranged that entries from vari-
Gus countries must be made through the
Olympic committee of each country. and
this Olympic committee makes itself re-
sponsihle 10 the British Olympic Council
Tor the standing Of the representatives of
that country
Definition of Amateur.
The competitions are confined strictly to
amateurs. and the following is the defini-
uon Of an amateur as laid down by the
Amateur Athletic Association Of England:
IAN amateur is one who has never com
petcd for a money prize or monetary con-
sideration. or for any declared wager or
staked bet; who has never engaged in. as
sisted in. or taught any athletic exercise
as means Of pecuniarv gain: and who
has never taken part in any competition
with any one who is not an amateur"
There have been wars and rumors Of
wars. In fact. these began almost at onca
The Union des Societies Franchise des
Sports AthletiQucs declined TO recognize
the French Olympic committee. The Con
sell de la Federation Franchise des Socie-
tes de Boxe was reported as determined
10 keep French boxers at home There
were two splits In the Canadian athletic
camp. But II is safe to say. in spite Of
minor disagrecmcnts. the men who have
been eventually chosen from the various
countries to take part I'm the games Of
this Olympiad will represent more Of the
picked men Of the countries than have
ever met before
Another interesting feature about IL Is
that as the programme. rules. and condi
tons Of competition are laid down bv one
body namely, the British Olympic Coun-
Gil, the effect will be "A standardizing
or the code in all these various contests
that could not be reached in any other
way and that will be Of great value i'm
future International meetings.
The athletic section OF this programme
is as follows:
LOO meters fat nOe3 Yards,
40 meters Fat t2ls6 yards).
100 meters fiat 457.2 yards
500 meters fat ls7i4 yarusl
5-l.oO meters fat Q395 yardsl.
600 meters hurdle l2)2 yardsl.
7-iOO meters hurdle Cg72 YARDS,
s-3O0 meters stoeplechase (3sg76 vardsl
s-5mile run rs hlometersl
D-leme walk l6 hlometers
n-Aianthon race rs miles. 30 hlometers)
l2-Sandng broad imp
B-Standng high jump.
H-Running broad jump.
5-Running high jump.
l6-Hop step. and jump.
E-Pole Jump
1s-Throwing the hammsr.
R-Putting the weight
O-Tug- -ofwar team of eight
4-Three-mile team race as hloraeters). Five n
run, three 20 count
l-3.500 meters walk 3.s5 yards)
2-Discis-I. Free style. H. As at Athens
2i-Jayen-I. Free STYLE IT, With the iaveIn
held In the middle
25-Ilelay race 900 meters Q.7ias yards Teams
Of four with four reserVesl. at 30 meters C2ls rs
yardsl; at 400 meters li37.I52 yards: ! at 500
meters. ls7i90 yards.
Each country is allowed to enter as
many as twelve competitors. not more.
for all these events up to the tug-of-war.