The Washington herald., 1914-07-29
School Athletics.
By AAExANpER BLUaIE.

.s-
BY ALEXANDER BLUsE.
It is gala day The stands of the great stadium
are thronged with.a gayly bedecked assembage who
multicolored banners franticaly and cheer mad
Iy as favorite wins. Sharp, rhythmic cries arise
at frequent intervals. Half dozen lightly clad
youths, nervous and eager, crouch at mark and at
the crack of pistol sraighten up and dash swiftly
down the track to where the tape marks the finish
line On they speed at terrific pace, scarce few
inches separating them. Their faces are set in ter
rbly tense expression, the eyes upturned and half
closed; the mouths open. Finally with tremendous
effort calls his last of strength and energy
into play, flashing across the line the winner.
The runners fling themselves down on the turf
and lay painting heavily, their overtaxed hearts beat
ing quickly in an effort to pump sufficient blood
through the system to compensate for the extraord
nary consumption; the tortured lungs strive fran
tically to nhae sufficient oxygen to rePlensh con-
sumed body cells
And now the long-distance runners are off on
their exhausting grind The sun beats down on their
heads with merciless rays. The air is sitting. Slowly
they circle the track 1t is merely question of which
body. which set of Reart, lungs and muscles, CO.
ordinate with a will power, will continue the agoniz-
ing strain the longest. -
The race is nearly over and the youths again urge
the tired muscles to greater effort. With heart
breaking slowness they stagger down the last 100
yards The teeth are fixed grimly the eyes closed !;
the runners are practically dead to the world save
that there is torturng impulse in the seat of
scousness to keep going until that bit of tape is
passed, and then to sink into oblivion and escape
this relentless agony.
Perhaps it is football game we are witnessing
Heavy, powerful young gadiators they are and we'll
train ed for the confct nearlv hour thev
locked in mortal combat Charge upon charge; body
smashed against body; limbs broken and bodies
bruised fearfully Men entering the field short while
ago in magnificent physical condition are carried off
limp, and pitifuly helpless The battle over, the
young giants pass off the field their cheeks sunken
eyes lusterleSs and lips crinkled. The strain has
been terrific.
Now watch boat race at gay regatta. Like
gigantic centpedes the fral shells propelled down
the stream to the accompaniment of streaming ban
ners cheers from the crowds lining the shores and
whistles from the river craft. The oarsmen strain
eagerly at the shafts their hearts beat against the
ribs as though they would burst But on and on
they go until with a supreme employment of their
last bit of strength the race is finished Down
they sink in the boats, by the extraordi-
nary exaction made mind and muscle.
1t is at these moments that the question forms
itself in the mind OF the onlooker: as the game
worth the candle? Do the young men receive bene-
fit proportional to the time and strength expended in
the long course of preparation that eliminates in
these conflicts for athletic supremacy" Like all ma
chimes, the human body has its limit 1t may be
taxed only much until the breaking point is reached
Its recuperative powers limited and when taxed
beyond bounds fail to respond.
The sentiment interviewer with intercollegiate and
nterscholastic athletics is very broadcast and pow
erfuL The public is accustomed to think Of
great university noh seat of higher learning or
for the excellence of its faculty and curriculum or
the value of the scientific researches and discoveries
it makes, but because it may have champion foot
ball team, crack rowing crew record-breaking
Sprinter. This lure of the immense crowds in the
stadiums in turn exerts its influence upon the con-
testants. The young asprant the aures of the
test burns with patriotism to his alma mater and.
urged by the fervd tales of its prestige is ready
almost sacrifice his life to bring victory to her
cheering cohorts.
This boundless enthusiasm and ambition are OF
themselves highly desirable So, too a course in
physical training, conducted under the guidance of
sllful coaches and trainers is likewise bound to re-
suit benehcialy to the student Wefe this the bound
ary of the athletic side OF school life it would be
deserving of the highest commentator. But the eager
desire for supremacy rivals has been permitted
to creep in and lead enervating contests on track
stream and field. To this lust for victory discretion
is thrown to the winds and health shattered. Thus
while quiet jaunts open countryside are de-
srable for benefit and enjoyment, long races over
hill and dale at top speed and at constant strain
are deleterious. Similarly rowing is an exceedingly
healthy sport, but the wear and tear of long race
is harmful
The atmosphere in this country is laden with a
plentiful supply of oxygen 1t is dry, crisp and tonic
but it does not permit men to engage in the ex-