Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-11-06
England to Have
Big All-Around
Championships
British Copy American idea with ALI
Around Track and Field
Events.

NEW YORK, Nov. 5.--There is to be an
innovation IN English athletics next year
In the shape OF an ali around championship
modelled after the American fixture. The
newly formed Amateur Athletic union 10 to
promote the event and in commenting on
It an English critic remarks as follows:
There are IN existence mpionships
for running and walking at various dis
tances and also for general field events.
Why not q championship contest that shall
include ali around efficiency, the ability TO
make showing in a stated number OF
events TO be drawn from the three several
branches Of athletic competition? The
United states holds annually such cham
pionship; there are all around athletic
competitions. II not championships held in
the Scandinavian countries; even Finland,
whore Of late years athletics have made
tremendous strides into public favor, such
are not unknown. Il IS a little curious to
reflect that England, the mother OF world
athletics should have nothing OF similar
nature to show.
1T will be admitted that, great as is the
honor OF being the best 100 yards runner or
miller, seven miles walker or hammer
thrower IN the British Isles the distino-
ton OF being the best all around athlete
could not but be greater than that OF any
OF these. The best man amoung a million is
assuredly q more distinguished Individual
than the best man among a hundred. For
example, a worlds championship gained at
an Olympic gathering IL moro valuable
personally and in public estimation than
the championship Of q country similarly
to be the best man in ones own country
for combination OF, say, ten athletic
events is more honorable q distinction than
/ that Of hnr In nF .Ah
competition.
''The institution Of an al around cham
pionship would create a new element in
/ amateur athletics, one that would give a
! further stimulus to athletic enterprise and
give opportunity for an innovation into
athletic sports gatherings and public alike
Were there q championship instituted the
| holding Of competitions OF an all around
character would be introduced into athletic
meetings. Nor would any existing sports
be adversely affected. new type OF
athlete would be created, an impetus given
toward that all around physical develop
ment Of our athletes wherein we are sadly
lacking. Specialization, the training Of the
individual toward superexceIlence in any
one event, would not be interfered 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 in
sttution OF an all around athletic cham
pionship. There lie not the slightest reason
for fearing that the same applied to this
country would have any different effect
'"rhe average athlete is content to devote
himself to but one or two events, but refer
ence to school athletics shows that such II
not the case therein. The same competitor
will be found taking part in half dozen
different contests and, in a large number
Of cases this cGtholicity of competition is
directly encouraged by the presenting OF a
special prise to that competitor who scores
the greatest number OF points at the meet
ing. If this all around competition be en-
couraged among youthful athletes what
good reason can there be advanced against
providing similar facilities for adults2"