Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-07-12
Some Doubt as 10 Ability fasl
spf|Dter Of University Of R'
g|nIs h Olympic Games.
NOT ACCUSTOMED 10 DISTANCE
London All Aslow Over PROPOSED
sport-kins Of England viii W.T.
ness Events and viii Receive Athe-
ietes m Bly Parade-Ali American
Entries In Excellent Trim.

=
LONDON. July 1.-THE American
athletes who have come to London 10
COMPETE against the world at the
olympic meeting which will open OF
Monday are full of confidence as 10
their ability to do more than hold their
own against the representatives OF
other nations The Americans went
to brighton early in the week ana
they have been working steadily anu
conscicnously there under the direc-
ton of Trainer Murphy.
Murphy said today: "One thing TO
be thankful for is tne there have been
no accidents such as attended the
team on it's way TO Athens. None
of the men are overturned but on the
othcrhand some of them have not had
uyerwork and the climate OF England
will not permit the forcing Of work
upon them.
Rector Shows Well.
Rector, the University of virginia
eprinter. has shown wonderful bursts
Of speed in practice aud likewise mas
proved himself = fast starter. Tne
only question seems to be as to wneth-
er he will be able to last 100 meters
The difference between that distances
and 100 years does not appear 10 Do
much but it Ia considerable for Q me
Ily trained man who Ia accustomed 70
the shorter sprint. The other Ameri-
can sprinters and hurdlers are In nne
form. but the distance men are slow
in coming around. Nevertheless they
are Just as confident as the others IN
ultimate success The wrestiers. 81
so. are having their troubles in keep
Ing down to weight. -.
Gilbert, the worlds champion, has
broken another pole vaultiEg recoYd.
He cleared - feet In practice recent
| ly and there seem no likelihood Of his
defca, unless the present plans OF
conducting the vaulting and high jump
ing contests are persisted in The
Americans contend that vaulters must
l" allowed to dig a hole for the pole
and the of side OF the bars must be
dug up to lessen the shock Of allight-
ing. The Canadians and others are
directing to these conditions. assert
ling that there should be no hole for
the pole and that the Jumpers should
alicht on turf. The drawing fog
heats also has been the cause OF obs
lection.
Protest Against Longboat.
The committee in charge of this de-
tail decided that the drawing should
be made BY the selection Of slips bear
ing the numbers Of the various coz.
testants from a hat, but the Americans
have pointed out that this might ieao
to al the men OF any one country
being drawn for the same heat
greater difhculty faces the manage
meat on the question Of whether Long
boat, the Canadian. shall be allowed 70
compete in the long distance eyents.
The Americans hold that he Is pro-
fessional. but has not entered for.
NAL protest agasst him.
A meeting Of the American commit
tee held today TO decide upon what
actions shall be taken in the DafteU
The members OF the committee are
strongly opposed to doing anything
! that is likely to interfere With the
success OF the games. but they Coz
i,cnd they cannot allow their men to
iccpardize their amateur standing By
competing against a professional
| The most elaborate arrangements
have been made for formal opcbiD&
Of tho games by the King. before
his arrival there will be grand ~.
radc Of the competitors. After the
/ formal opening there will be swim
ming and cycling races and Symnae-
ttics and the FIRST heat "f the 1.000
meters race will he run on.