Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-23

countries a most
stirring revival of interest i'll boxing. run
ming and even base ball. and two peoples
whose physical vigor seemed seriously
slapped have now reached point of ad-
vance that arrests the attention of the
world.
1t is not, indeed. out of the question
that the participation in the. vigorous
games by which Uncle Sam develops the
strength of his young manhood may give
the answer to the problem of preventing
race suicide. now one Of the most serious
issues with which the statesmen of
France have to deal.
Undoubtedly the Olympic games enter
a whole lot to stir the revival of athletic
interest in France and Italy.
Both nations felt called upon TO enter
their athletes in the competition which
brought together all the best men of the
world.
1t was not with any expectation of sue
cess, and In the first two renewals OF the
classic event there was little III the work
of the French and Italians to excite hope.
But then came the much-discussed games
in London, when the sensation OF the
event was the marvellous running of the
Italian, Dorando. In the Marathon event,
the Cn1eI Contest Oh Tie Hicct.
Over the tWenty-six mile course the
frail, little Italian steadily led the way,
and he burst into the stadium first OF all
the army of runners.
It is true he did not win the event. for
when it came 10 a showdown he did not
have the final ounce OF stamina necessary
to carry him over the line in first place.
and the American, little Johnny Hayes.
coming along strong and aggressive.
despite the strain to which he had been
submitted. crossed the line victor after
sympathetic individuals had striven to
drag Dorando over the line.
Ak
The excitement of this race made the
fame of Dorando all over the world. He
came to the United States. He met and
defeated Hayes in an indoor match. Sub
sequently he engaged in number of con-
tests in several Of which his stamina was
nut seriously in doubt when he collapsed
R,t in the midst of his failures he won
a number Of races and certainly gave ev-
idence CT enough power to show that
Italy had come to the fore as nation
that would produce entrance men who
could hold their own with the worlds
best
While Dorando was still showing his
FORM a Frenchman made an
essay to get place among the Marathon
men. and st. Yves. a name unknown TO
athletic fame Immediately became promi-
nent when its owner landed a number Of
events
But running was only one of the sports
in which the rest of the world found
that two nations naturally somewhat
frail of physique. and for many years not
noted for athletic prowess. had begun to
come to the fore.
American attention began to be at
tracted to the fact that Paris had
awakened to boxing
This for many was a sport virtually
unknown to the French capital.
Savate used to be the nearest approach
the French. had to boxing as we know
it. and this differed from the American
and English self defense in that its ex-
ponent was permitted to use his feet for
ofYense In addition to his hands.
The real point of the sport. II it could
be SO called. was to deliver kick that
in any American boxing contest would
be voted the most serious kind Of foul.
Charley Mckeever. once among the best