The sun., 1912-07-04
OLYMPIC TEAM IN
SUPERB CONDITION
Americans Fit to Confront
the World in Unbrokcn
PhalanX.
TRIP EXCEEDS HOPES
Little Sickness. Much Fun,
While Finland Steams
Way TO Sweden.
EATING RECORD SMASHED
>trongboy> Put on Pounds That
viii lIclp--All Swear by
Col. Thompson.
EATING RECORD SMASHED
.ersnnl Cn,rcspondercs

',or,pctins fur the championship titles
of iue world at tho Olympic games in
S,,oGLor'' arc in splendid physical CON
di,,on for the ordeal which Confrouts
them. No a single member uf any of
the sibdil iS.ons which go tu make up
the combined athletic strength of the
United Siatcs but looks able L. Civ" "a
GOOD account Of himself when the
starter calls tho oven, Tor which ne has
heon entered. Tho six score of swim
mtrs bicycle riders. fcnccrs. sharp
shooters and track and field athletes
who embarked from New York ON June
IS appear able to cope with any opposi-
ton which may he put against them.
The men lack the fincncss In physical
condition which distinguished the ap-
poarancc of all the american athletes in
TIE tryouts for the team in tho United
States. The long sojourn on the Fin
land has resulted in an increase Of
weight for many Of tho men from the
United States. but the muscular equip
ment which insured their selection to
represent the country is still available
and the surplus will constitute AN ad-
vantage when the time comes for Mike
Murphy 20 point them for the different
events on the programme.
Although the trip across tho Atlantic
was made at n slower rate than had
been expected. the conditions have been
e,erythnv which could have been ,lc-
sired under tho circumstances. An cS-
,remc southern course was taken 10
avoid any possibility Of collision with
4 a ,,;,
land being Of the opinion that the ship
ioon tho most southcrly course of any
steamer which ever sailed on direct
trip brtwccn New York and Antwerp.
Weather conditions have been ideal.
There was not day on the voyage
across the Atlantic when the sun was
not on duty for at least part Of the
DAY. There was but one day-Thurs-
day. June 20-which was not agreeable
The FIST scventy-two hours of the trip
arrosi were as comfortable as voy-
re VI the Hudson. \ blue sky. a calm
SEE, and a breeze which was Just cool
enough TO make extra blankets In de
'nsnd AZ sleeping time allaycd the fears
~ asicl ness In tho breasts OF most
~ iho athletes and passengers. There
vas little sickness on the trip across
Most Il these unfortunatcs were like
III, lizards, the jumper from Utah. who
Was more bothered by the change from
'he high altitude OF his native state than
ny the rolling Of the ship Ralph Rose
Nas ono Of tho carly victims To indis-
position. Jim Duncan. George IIorinc.
CASTOR StrobinD, Harold Holland, Will
lam I, nd 81,
were of the active list for a limited
period. hut the rcst OF tho athletes do
c'arod that during the whole VOYAGE
they had been in as good shape as ever
in their lives.
This was because the first days OF calm
weather gave every one a chance to get
Used 10 life on the ocean. On Tuesday
morning. June is. the wind, which had
ueen blowing moderately from the north
east, shifted to fresh southwest gale
and tho Finland started in to roll to u
marked degree. This was emphasized
la'e' in the day when the course was
shifted TO The northern tack. but only n
10" men were put on the sick list because
~ Il. The most remarkable natural
Phenomenon of the remainder Of the trip
vas he sighting, in latitude 81. so n, long-
'ude % W. of a turtle on a raft. Thirty
'eet on the starboard side a three foot
turtle was seen travelling on a mass of
wood which looked like the hatch Of some
medium slzed vessel The sight was
verified 10y Capt. Barnum of the Finland
VINO laid that the spectacle was unique
IN his nautical experience.
In spite of the proloneation of the
mise Of The Finland no passenger was
sa'ia'sd with the trip. From morning
10 night there has been no monotony con
he''ed with the 0uest of the American
'eam for the athletic championship of the
"oiId Starting III at 3 O'Clock in the
morning, something happened on the
steamship every moment OF the day. On
Inc trip a"ross the Atlantic the rife men
'oi"yed and Numbered at a target on
'!e hoal deck. the revolver artists merci-
"eSlY perforated i target at the stern. the
-N mers and divers splashed round in
me ''o bIG canvas tanks especially erected
10Y mem and the track and field per-
''h"f> wer" put through their PAGES by
NlH" Murphy II was three ringcd
Nr'ns m m" time.
n. thompson was the life Of the ex-
H''on and there ia not a man. woman
" '''d among the Olympic delegation
VI" ''"' not court him as a friend. His
''' '"HrI"sy and his consideration for
''''' "r" on hoard combine TO mako him
|'a' N'c,It're for the social side of
,'' V'p. 1h" division lines bet ween the
~ t'n west and between club athletes
"p mos" haing from universities have
''Nl .i'' r'sinlly lost 10 view because of
'.h'F tor ,cmenting ell people to-
10" Colonel has been troubled
''''Y with gput. but refuses ab-
''N '" gli" IN To the ailmcnt. When
ms" comes on he starts to walk
'' pam and grimly hnps about the
'''' IA" enemy has been success
|''"''d. II has been "A most en-
ave '''p TOR Col, Thompson and he is
''' =. s. 4 s'hooiboy IN making every
''Ipv on board According 10
a. '''.'lN of the Olympic committee
.', -'n Will hGvc contributed in
'..ni { three ;.mca the
' largest other donor 'o the
I''.'- .' -'ndlng the team when the
struck.
H'r James T.. sullivan IS in