Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1913-02-14
FOUR PAGES
Thorpe Loses
Amateur Rank
Worlds Best Athlete Confesses
to Professionalism of Long
Standing and Loses
His Medals

who follow athletic events-has ad-
mitted that he is a professional. That
means that he has accepted money
for his services in athletic eompe-
tition. That means that he is for
ever barred from taking part in track
meets, football games or baseball
games in which amateurs figure, and,
most especially, that he may not
again show his wonderful proves in
the Olympic games, that great inter
national congress OF athletes. Thorpe
is, undoubtedly, the greatest all
around athlete in the world. He is a
Sac and Fox Indian, a student at the
Carlisle school for Indians Within
a. little more than half year Thorpe.
at Stockholm and in competition
against the world. established new
record and showed his supremacy. He
was recently charged with having
played professional baseball with the
Winston Salem team in North Caro-
lima When the charge was brought
home to him Thorpe confessed that
he had been a professional since 1910;
that, technically, at least, he had
taken Olympic honors under false
pretenses. His confession was con
tanned in a letter to the registra-
ton committee of the Amateur Ath-
letie Union, which organization has
general supervision over the ehgibil-
1ty of all athletes who are not in
sports for a livelihood. This board
was in session in New York City at
the time, converting to decide
Thorpe's case. In extenuation of his
conduct, Thorpe said that he did not
know that he had done anything
wrong, as on the same team with him
in 1910 were several college men who
were spending their vacations playing
baseball for pay. These. said Thorpe,
were regarded as amateurs, and he
could see no reason why he also
should not retain his standing. Also,
the Indian stated that he did net play
for the money offered him, but be-
cause he loved the game.
His record is remarkable. His win
ming of the pentathlon and decathlon
events at the Olympic games in Swe-
den and later his wonderful perform
anee in winning the all-around cham
of the Amateur Athletic
Union at Celtic Park, New York, last
stamped him as the most
athlete of modern times.
In addition, his prowess as a football
player during the season of 1912
brought to him the honor of being
given a place on the All-Ameriean
football eleven, a "paper" team
picked by leading sporting experts
from among the best in the great col
ege game.
Thorpe viii be required to return
Ill of the medals and insignia of
lonor that he has won in competition
With amateurs since the time he
played baseball for hire. Foreign
sporting men, however, are reported
IS believing that Thorpe should be
allowed to retain his medals. even if
lie won them under pretenses of being
IN amateur This, too, means that
he points won by Thorpe for America
nay not be counted for this country.
Their loss, however, does not take
-ictory from Uncle Sam. The cor
ected score gives the United States
g points. with Finland second with
g.
In the pentathlon in Stockholm
thorpe finished first in the running
road jump. first in the 200-meters
I'm. first in the 1500-meters run,
rst and third in the javelin event.
n the decathlon, which consisted of
he 1OO-meters dash, running broad
imp, shotput, running high jump,
OO-meters run, l10-meters hurdles,
iscus throwing, pole vaulting, javelin
,rowing and 15O0-meters run, Thorpe
ad a percentage of s412.955, against
724495 by Wieslander of Sweden,
is nearest opponent.
Thorpe first was heard Of several
ears ago as a football player with
Ie Carlisle team. Later he special
ed in weight throwing, jumping and
inning. He also became noted as q
crosse and baseball player and in
e latter branch of sport several
the major league teams tried to
oeure his services. Only last year
ttsburg and Washington endeavored
secure him, but the Indian re
sed to sign a contract, declaring
at he wished to remain an amateur.
After the Olympic games in Swe-
L last year King Gustave sent for
lorpe to congratulate him on his
Owess. At first the Indian timidly
clined TO meet the monarch, but
er, when several of the American
nmitteemen insisted that he do so,
orpe went to the palace. There the
lg took the Indian by the hand
/ smilingly said: "You are the
attest athlete in the world"