Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-07-14
KING OPENS GAMES.

sadly today with the opening of the
fourth international Olympaid by the
King at the Stadium at Shepherd
Bush and although it cleared off be-
fore the hour set for the formal cere-
mony, the attendance fell far short OF
expectations. The seating capacity OF
the stadium is upward of 10000 ana
while the covered stands contained
sections which were we'll filled, there
were many vacant spaces, and, In fact,
if it had not been for the American
ard Colonial contingents, which were
there to cheer their respective country
mon. the sections around the royal
box, which We're occupied by society,
it would have been a very small affair,
so far as attendance was concerned.
In some of the events, too, the con-
testants appeared affected by the ad-
verse weather conditions, but IN other
events, particularly the 1oOO-metreS
race. in which the greatest interest
centered, the men were up to their
form and twice during the afternoon
the record for the distance was smash
ed Melvin w. Sheppard OF the IRISH
American A. C. Of New York was the
first to accomplish the trick, when, in
the second heat, pressed hard by ms
team mate, J. P. Halstead Of the New
York A. G., ran in the distance in the
splendid time of 4.05. just Is OF a
second faster than that made by j. d.
Lightbody of the University of Chica-
go at the olympic game at st. LOUIS
in 1904.
The Americans in this heat beat q
number of good men, including G. But
terrified, the English 4-mile champion,
who finished a bad third. J. 2. Sullivan
of the Irish-American a. e., ana
Lighthotiy. who were first and second,
respectively in the first heat Of this
event, took longer to cover the dis
lance, but they were not pressed and
doubtless could have done better il it
had been necessary. Meadows Of Can
ada set out to make the pace in this
heat, but Lightbody went to the front
III the stretch and seemed likely
winner, unil Sullivan, with fine burst
of speed, passed him few yards from
the tape.
The best performance of the day,
however, was that of NJ f. HalloWs,
an oxford Blue. who cut full two
seconds off the record, much to the
surprise of everybody. as Hallows had
always been at his best at three miles
and 1900 metres was considered too
short for him. He is now thought to
be the most serious rival of the Amer
leans in the final of this event, which
will be run tomorrow Through their
defeat by Sheppard and sullivan, Hal
Of ,iuht hnlv failed tn III :
fy. II. L. Coe of the University of
Michigan made strong bid for vic
tory in the fourth heat, but he was un-
able to keep up with Z. V. Loney of
England, although the time was not
particularly brilliant. Coe finished sec
ond
The only other American in the race.
r. Fl. Riley of the Irish American A.
G., ran unplaced in his heat. the third.
which was that in which Hallows made
the record.
Shortly after p. NJ. the royal box
which had been fitted up to accom-
modate 40 persons began to ill up
the early arrivals including the crown
prince and the crown princess OF
Sweden and their children; the crown
prince and the crown princess OF
Greece, the Duke and Duchess OF
Connaught, and the Duke and Duchess
of Argyll
Soon the plying Of the national an
them by a band Of the Grenadici
Guards announced the arrival of King
Edward, Queen Alexandra and
Princess Victoria with their suites
who had been driven in state from
buckingham Palace. Lord Dcsbor-
ough, chairman of the council of tho
British Olympic Association, welcomed
Their Majestics at the entrance to the
Stadium and presented the members
of the International Olympic Coun-
Gil
AS the King entered the royal box
bugler gave a signal, the gates lead
ing to the competitors quarters flew
off and the athletics marched out un
der the banners Of their respective ma
tions. The procession was formed ir
alphabetical order, Austria leading
with the exception that the English
speaking races came last. This latter
section was led by the American team
with Garrells of the Chicago Athletic
Association at it's head, carrying thu
stars and Stripes. The British colo
MES were directly behind the Ameri
cans and at the end the United King
dom as hosts.
AS the day advanced the downpou
gave way to a drizzle, which however
soon passed over and as the time ap
preached for the opening the sun cam'
out occasionally. Crowds gathered
for the opening and outside of thu
Stadium and long before the arriva
of Their Majesties, the cheaper sec
| tions Of the stand were filled will
water proof clad spectators.
| At the last moment change wa
| made in the order of the events which
were to follow the formal opening
| The first and second heats of the 1900
| metres {l6395 yards) run, We're plac
l. Continued on Page TWO)