The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-11-13
ENGLAND WILL HAVE
BIG CHAMPIONSHIPS
British Copy American Idea
With All-Around Track and
Field Events.

NEW YORK, Nov. 12.-There is to be
An innovation in English athletics next
year In the shape OF an all around cham
pionship modelled after the American
fixture. The newly formed Amateur
Athletic union is to promote the event
and in commenting on 1t an English critic
remarks as follows:
There are in existence championships
for running and walking at various dis
tances and also for general field events.
Why not championship contest that
shall include all arouGd efficiency. the
ability to make showing In stated
three several branches of athletic COM
petition? The United States holds
annually such championship, there are
all around athletic competitions. II not
countries. even Finland. where OF late
years athletics have made tremendous
strides into public favor. such are not
unknown. 1t is a little curious to reflect
that England the mother of world ath-
letics, should have nothing OF similar
nature to show
TT viii be admitted that great as Is
the honor OF being the best 100 yards
) hammer -thrower in the British Isles the
distinction of being the best all around
athiete could not but be greater than
that OF any. of these. The best man
among million is assuredly more dis
tfnguished individual than the best man
among hundred, For example. q
world 8 championship gained at an OIym-
pic gathering is more valuable personally
and In public estimation than the cham
pionship Of country; similarly to- be
the best man In ones own country for
Is more honorable distinction than that
OF best man In one form Of athletic com
petition.
THE institution of an all around cham
pionsnip would create new element in
amateur athletics. one that would give
further stimulus to athletic enterprise
and give opportunity for an innovation
INTO athletic sports gatherings and public
stituted the holding of competitions OF
an all around character would be intro
duced into athletic meetings. Nor would
any any existing sports be adversely af-
iectcd- new type of athlete would be
created. an impetus given toward that all
around physical development of our ath-
ietes; wherein we are sadly lacking
Speelalization' the training Of the indi-
event. would not be lnterfered with
specialization In the United States has
gone far. America turns out the finest
sprinter and field events performers in
the world, yet this has not interfered
with the institution of an all around ath
letic championship There is not the
slightest reason for fearing that the same
applied to this country would have any
different effect.
The average athlete is content to de
vote himself TO but one or two events.
put reference TO school athletics shows
that such Is not the case therein. The
same competitor will be found taking part
| In half dozen different contests and,
In large number OF cases. this catlioli :
CITY OF competition is directly encouraged
oy the presenting of special prize To
that competitor who scores the greatest
number OF points at the meeting. II
this all around competition be encour
fol 1. .tr,x u. /,
reason can there be advanced AGAINST
providing similar facilities for adults?