Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-12-24
YANKEE CYCLISTS 70 ENyBR
Best Dozen Men in America to Ride
Against World in 0lympiad.
LOST HoNORs TO BE WON BACK
United Cyclists and other Organi1a-
lions start Movement 60 Create
Enthusiasm 20 Make Great

NEW YORK. Dec 23-It is the inten.
ton Of the committee in charge of maxi
ing the arrangements for the selection
and sending to Stockholm, Sweden OF
the bicycle team which will represent
this country in the Olympic games next
summer to avoid II possible the recur-
renee Of the rather peculiar condition of
affairs which attended the aftermath Of
the games held in London in 1905. IT will
be recalled that at that time the United
States claimed the championship Its
athletes unquestionably won the worlds
title in the track and field events, but
the all-around championship was won by
England.
The team which represented this coun-
try then was not a complete one. 1t
was composed OF the best American run
ners jumpers and weight men and few
Of the best in other branches OF athletic
activity, but there were stlll other sports
in which the United States was not rep
resented or was reresented by not truly
representative competitors.
For instance, in the bicycling races
George Cameron and Lew" Werntz
represented the United States, and did
fairly well. IT was not decided until the
eleventh hour before the team sailed
that this country should send any cy-
cllsts, and Cameron and Werntz. who
were known TO be two of the best anna
teurs here at the time, were picked al
most at random.
Interest Is GrOwing.
The intention OF the committee now
working on the selection Of a team is
plainly shown in the interest which it
has already manifested in the activity
Of the men who have taken It upon
themselves to stir up countrywide en-
thusiasm in the sending of complete
bicycling team, composed of twelve
riders, to the Olympiad.
Those who know state positively that
the team will be sent. but support. not
only enthusiastic support, but support
of more substantial kind, is needed
The Olympic committee has said that it
will aid in sending the team to Sweden
IL anyone near the required amount of
money be raised by a subscription. It is
estimated that 1t will take $500 to pay
the expenses OF the twelve men while
abroad.
Alter a period of time, during which it
appeared as IL interest in bicycling were
waning. the followers OF the sport who
have stuck to their colors through adj
versity have, by dint hard work, sue
ceeded in reviving interest.
Now there is more interest in cycling
than there has been in years, and the
work of preparing to pick this team Is a
great boom.
The United Cyclists, a new organiza-
ton for the fostering Of the sport, is very
active. 1t is pushing matters with a viii,
and its efforts are sure TO be attended by
success. Harold +. Dibblee is one OF the
leading factors in arousing the interest
of the general public, and particularly
that portion of it which is interested in
cycling.
Says Team il Assured.
While discussing the matter, he said in
part: 1T is practically assured that this
country will be represented in the BIZ
cycling even at the Olympic games. 1t
is equally certain that the riders who go
abroad will return TO these shores with
some laurels
This is a road race for teams and for
individuals. The events are to be over a
course measuring 200 miles around Lake
Malar, Stockholm. and VIII be run stimuli
taneously. Each country is restricted to
actually take part in the racing. The
remaining four are TO be substitutes
Furthermore, the rule governing the
holding OF these races has recently been
changed so that It really favors this
country more than the others. The riders
will be able to change pace as 1t now
reads. Previously they could not, which
would have meant a big advantage to the
English riders. We have always been used
to changing pace in this country.
THE fact that IL is a road race is also
in our favor. We have the best amateur
road racers in the world right here. In
1908 II was a track race, which was to
our disadvantage.
Subscriptions is not the only way. that
we intend to raise the necessary money.
We are going to hold meets all over the
country, the receipts OF which will be
given for this purpose. Just at the present
time It is planned to hold one meet In
Brooklyn and one in New York in Janu-
airy and February.
elimination Trials soon.
'As soon as the weather will permit
that is. in the spring of the year-the
elimination trials will be held all over
the country and the best men from these
will meet in New York in the final trials
before the team is definitely picked. In
this way we shall undoubtedly be repre-
scented by the best in the amateur ranks.
1T is years since there was such evil
dence OF interest In the sport as is being
manifested at the present time. Statistics
prove that over 10000 bicycles will be
manufactured next year.
while there is not as much riding done
in New York and its immediate vicinity
as there was several years ago, It is a
fact that throughout New England, in
the south and middlewest and further
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