The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-07-16

South Africa Italy ......... l
The last day of the track and field
sports in the stadium brought no sen
sation. The games reached their cul
mination in the marathon. The cur
tain falls on the Olympic with the
United States we'll in the front In
points in all sports to date and with
a sweeping victory in the field and
track events.
The bestowal of the prizes by the
king, who placed laurel wreaths on
the heads of the victors and shook
hands with all the winners took place
in the stadium this afternoon
The triumphs of the day were di-
vided for the most part between the
United States and the northern ma
tons. The latter, particularly Swed-
en-, scored a number OF points in wrest
ling and aquatic sports in which the
Americans did not figure. James
Thorp Of the Carlisle Indian school,
proved himself easily the greatest all
round athlete of the world in the de
cathlon, which provided a variety of
tests of speed. strength and quick
ness.
The American quartermilers ran
away with the 1000 meters relay as
predicted, Sheppard. Lindberg Mere
dith and Reidpath showing their
heels to their rivals.
The hop, step and jump proved
wholly a Swedish event The north
ern country took the three leading
places and divided the cross country
race of 5000 meters, which really was
test of cliff climbing and ability to
penetrate underbrush, with the hus-
ky Firms, while the English team was
third.
The presentation of the prizes at 5
O'Clock this evening was a spectacle
nearly as theatrical as the opening
ceremony. Three handsome stands
were placed on the greensward. All
the winners of first, second and third
prizes marched into the arena and
assembled in three groups before the
stands. The athletes and gymnasts
were in uniform; the officers of the
various nations who competed in the
military events were in full uniform.
while the woman prize winners were
variously attired
The king conferred on the winners
of first prizes, consisting of an oak
wreath, a gold medal and a challenge
cup TO each Crown Prince Gustave
Adolph presented a silver medal to
the members of the second group and
Prince Charles. brother of the king.
handed bronze medals to the third
group. The marathon winner. Near
thus of South Africa. received the
greatest cheer I'm addition to other
laurels he was presented with a big
bronze statue of the original mara.
thon hero falling at the finish. The
king applauded him and held his
hand for a long time.
The sports will continue three
weeks. The military riding competi-
tons are not yet finished and the
olympic regetta with entries from
England. Canada and most of the Eu.
ropean countries is about TO begin.
Then comes the Olympic yachting.
The steamer Finland. which
brought the Americans here. will sail
Wednesday direct for Dover. Part of
the company will transfer to the Vad.
erland Will the remainder will tour
Europe
Gloom was cast over the spectators
ana participants in the games today
when 1t became known that the only
Portuguese runner in yesterdays his
toric marathon race. F. Lazaro. had
died in the hospital this morning he
suffered from sunstroKe in yester.
days race and fell ont at Silferiel ON
the return journey after running le
miles. The news caused great dis
tress TO the king. the crown prince
and other members OF the royal fam
ily.