Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-01-30
WORLD DIS TRACK RECORDS |
UNTOUCHED LAST YEAR |
BY American Athletes, That Is,
Showing War Effect on Cinder
Path Athletes.

The effect OF the present war upon
American track and field athletics can be
accurately gauged by the fact that for the
first time in some years there was not a
single claimant for a new worlds record
at the close OF the 1917 season. This is
the first year in decade that one or more
performances by American athletes have
not been reviewed and prepared for
acceptance by the international Amateur
Athletic Association. The same situation
prevails in other countries which In
normal times devote considerable atten-
ton to track and field sports. So far as
is known, there were but two athletes
whose records made during 1917 appear
entitled to acceptance by the !. A. A. +.
These are Zander, the Swedish middle
distance runner, and Iiacknor, the iavelin-
thrower, both of whom trained under
Ernie Hertberg.
During the past year eight American
athletic records were equaled or surpassed,
hut in no case did the performance reach
worlds record standard. In sharp
contrast to this was the work OF the
American swimmers, for both in nata-
forums and III open water the cxponents
of the crawl, trudgeon and other strokes
clipped slzable slices from the best previous
figures In various events. No less than
five new records were made under the
rules of the International Swimming
Federation, and these will be duly accept
ed when meetinf of that organization
is held after the declaration of peace
has restored conditions.
No such string of track records for the
past year is awaiting the faction of the
international Amateur Athletic Fedora
t,,,t for ,.t
conference of the organization, which foi-
lowed immediately after the formation Of
the Federation At that meeting long
list of worlds amateur records WAS passed
upon and accepted and list of regulations
drawn up fer the handling of any records
established in the future This gathering
was held early in 1914 in France. Within
a few months the European war broke out
and ended the activity of the organization.
The athletic associations Of the coun-
tries which subscribed to the organization
of the L. A. A. f., however, have kept
careful record Of all athletic performances
which merit the consideration of the
Federation, ard these will he submitted
to that body at its first meeting following
the close of the war At the prescn. time
the American Amateur Athletic l'ninn has
- records which equal or surpass existing
figures, and these, having been accepted
~ the American organization, will IN
turn be presented 10 the international
group for its sanction and stamp Of
approval.
Four Of these performances were made
in 1914. and an equal number the follow
ing season. In 1916 the number increased
to seven. but, rs stated before, the past
,-car saw M track or field record apDroach-
ing those already on the books Since
1900, American athletes have established
IS records. which have been, or eventually
will be accepted by the l. 4. 4, i. Dur
ing this period there have been but six
years IN which the nation star performers
have failed 10 equal or better existing
records. The wear 1907 was the last one
lank, previous 70 1917, and II another
aine years should elapse before a recordless
period rccurs it Is apparent that few
Of the events which American athletes
srrecialize in can escape the making OF
new and better marks.