New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-07
No OXYGEN FOR RUNNERS
Barred from Use as a Drug IN
the Olympic Marathon.
RULING MADE IN SWEDEN
Call Made for Athletes to Send
IN Signed Entry Blanks
Without Delay.

/ The uen n oxygen gas rs a Sunl"inH'
will not he allowed in the Marathon run AZ
/ the Olympic games. as under ruling p'
! tho Swedish committee II is classed as 2
dug BECAUSE ~ the widespread discus
! non on the subject the question was ra'Se"
h. Sir Edwin Ray Lancaster in Eneldho'
and the Swedish committee mailed copy
! Of trc reply ~ his query ~ James 4 sum
ven secretary Of the American Olympic
committee here. II follows:
/ "yvn duly received your favor of April ~
and in reply beg n inform Won tha'' W
strict accordance with the rules hid down
for the Marathon race. the use Of oxygen
gas bv competitors taking part In '-at race
(beinc considered as appertaininE 70 me
class drugs will not he allowed
This ruling Is important as bearing on
the use Of oxygen in other sports. It bears
| ont also the opinion If The Journal OF the
American Medical Association which saws
editorialy in its current issue:
It was recently asked if the authorities In
charge Of the Olvmpian games ans year
to be held in 'tockholm. would perml' ,a ,I,e
competitors to carry oxygen bags 10 take
whiffS from vhile they run; II was con.
tended-and this by so eminent a seems u
as Sir Edwin Ray Lankcster-that a.
I
an article Of consumption as water, there
seems to be no reason why the runner
should he disqualified from refreshing nm.
self with II, aS he may with water OF
SOUP" Oxygen gas Is a drug in the sense
that IL has value i'm cases Of impaired res
pira ton, such as COmaS and lohar pneu-
mOnil. Otherwise pure oxygen Is as harm-
ful "a any stimulant for the stimulation
Is followed by depression. Frequent lntoW-
cation by this means must inevitably eN-
haust the vitality and shorten life. Nor Is
il true that pure oxygen is nS natural an
article Of consumption as water oxygen
IS safe for those IN health only I'm its mkt
IRE as atmospheric Air. with several parts
Of nitrogen. This is the only suitable form
Of oxygen inhalation for normal individuals
the form to which human and all other
life has during tho ages become adapted.
Meddling with nature is bound 10 he dis
astrous I'm tho long run. Athletes have
before this been given Tags OF undiluled
oxygen to stimulate them To outdiStanCo
their opponents But The Journal Of the
American Medical Association" thinks that
such oXygen-nade records will not for
moment stand in the estimation Of a true
sportsman. because they are not made nm
der the conditions with which human life
must ordinarily cope BESIDES such sport
must inevitably invite collapse. ruined heart
muscles and premature death.
Some days ago the American Olympic
committee forwarded Swedish entry blanks
~
anccs last year I'm order that they might
sign same and return them before May 80.
A number of blanks also were sent 10
clubs throughout the country asking to
have athletes who felt they had good
chance 10 qualify In tho tryouts Gll out
same and return them 70 the secretary's
Office at once.
These blanks are not being returned rs
fast as the committee would like. and n
follow-up letter went out yesterday rc-
qucstinE all athletes 10 sign the blanks
and return them at once. II the athletes
who expect 10 take part I'm the different
tryoutS do not return their blanks signed
perform in tho tryouts the team selection
committee cannot consider them. as II
will be absolutely too late then to make
entry.
The committee set May 20 as the last
day entries would be received. but there
is considerable work TO be done. and all
athletes who have blanks In their posses
sion are requested TO return Same A. once
Julian W. Curtiss, treasurer OF tho
American Olympic committee, yesterday
received checks amounting 10 $50 toward
the SEQ. 200 needed 10 dcfray the expenses
Of tho American athletes to the games AZ
Stockholn' In July The contributions re-
Con,lin $40. j. V. Black. SO, q. &. Boldt
ir. $40; ". II. Hurst. so: Nisitacion Val
lev Athletic club. san Francisco $40. Ma
tional Turn Nerein. Newark. $40 Column
hian Athletic Cluh, St Louis, IS, Grace
club, 81, and r. II. Price, So.