The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1908-09-12
THE PRESIDENT GREETs VICToRS.

Seventy-two of the American athletes who car
ried off the honors at the Olympic games in London
clasped hands with President Roosevelt at Oyster
Bay last week and were presented to Mrs. Roose-
velt who stood by her husbands side Each of the
athletes received hearty congratulation from the
president who chatted with them all if they
lifelong friends. Then with hearty cheer for the
best president since Washington" the athletes
marched down Sycamore Hill, singing Justify.
The president surveyed the sturdy group who
had beaten England and won honors against the
whole world and started to speak. lump came to
his throat and his voice choked. Boys" he said
81 am mighty glad to see you. This is the greatest
thing ever. | cannot say how this makes me feel
You are credit to your country We've won out
boys And then, too, it great deal better than
beating the English over hereto beat them on
their own ground. We ought to be satisfied"
Those nearest the president saw that his eyes
were trimming with tears. Quickly the president
brushed them away, turned to James E. Sullivan.
the United States commissioner to the Olympic
games, and remarked briskly: "Mr Sullivan you
did a god bit of work with these boys. They
simply remarkable;" and then somebody tried to
introduce Murphy, the trainer The president said:
81 don't have to be introduced. Come along, all of
you"
There was no mistaking the presidents feeling
for the Olympic athletes. He shook hands rap
turously with every one and had something to say
to each. He patted them the back, told them
they were the heroes of the hour and declared it
made his blood tingle to be an American. When
the recepton-one of the most remarkable that
Sycamore Hill has witnessed-was finished the ath-
etes grouped on the presidents lawn, joined lust
ily in song for the president and Teddy" bowed.
Before the reception over John j. Flanagan.
one of New York's Finest" who captured two
prizes for hammer throwing, gave one of his gold
medals to the president, and Melvin M. Sheppard.
who carried off three medals for middle distance
running. insisted that the president accept of
them In addition to this the president found him
self accepting an invitation to become honorary
member of the Irish-American Athletic club, to
which many of the conquering athletes belong.
AS the athletes, winding around the hill, caught
the first glimpse of the presidents home they burst
into popular song. He swung open the screen
door and as he listened he said: "Well, how | do
like that 1t reminds of my old regiment sing
ing many time" By this time the head of the
column had reached the entrance. In the van were
James E. Sullivan whom the president had APP
pointed United States commissioner to the Olympic
games: P J. Conway, president of the Irlsh-Ameri-
can Athletic club, whose members were in nearly
all the events; w P. Mclaughlin, secretary of the
Athletes Parades committee Matthew Hapin,
manager of the team; Michael Murphy, the trainer,
and Aldermen Doull and Kavanaugh, representing
New York city. As the athletes were instructed
to enter the house one by one the president asked
to see Mr. Sullivan first. "Im glad to see you
again" he said, as he grasped Mr. Sullivan's hand
and introduced him to Mrs. Roosevelt. Il want
to congratulate you and the splendid Not of men
you have brought to see me-"
Mr.. Sullivan took his stand beside the president
TO present each of the athletes Mr.. Halpin stood