The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-11-06
FRANCO-YANKEE
TRACK MEET AT
PARIS unique
French Athlete Not AS
Sturdy AS American But
Is 1.-the.

New York, Nov. 6-An interesting
account of a Franco American track
meet, held recently in an American
army base town in France, has reach
ed this country. In part it is as fol-
lows:
Before the war, the park where
the events were held had been I'M
doubtedly well cared for, but the
scarcity Of man power for non essen
tral pursuits accounted for the grass
grown walks and lettering fences.
The grandstand, indeed, held vivid
reminder of the struggle in progress
many miles to the north of us, for it
was packed from floor to ceiling with
war supplies.
Most of the events at an<army
track meet are run off in military
form. No spike shoes or running
suits are allowed, the contestants be-
ing put on their marks in ordinary
army brogans, the regulation putees
and army breeches. This meet, how
ever, was more pretenious and the
contestants began to make their ap-
pearance in long forgotten running
suits. Although billed as a Franco
American meet, there was a sprink-
ling of other nationalities, drawn
from the armies Of the allies. Be
fore the interested crowd they timber
ed up their muscles and tested the
boards at the jumps.
THE French athlete is not as stur-
dy a specimen of humanity, as his
American friend, but his litheness and
ouickness supplies the seeming def
cheney. In the sprints and the jumps
it stands him in good stead, but the
weight events generally find him IN
che ruck. The contestants this after
noon were we'll matched, some of the
heats were bitterly fought out, and
honors seemed in a fair way to be
even.
ITO the stranger, the enjoyment OF
the bystanders furnished quite as
much entertainment as the proves
of the athletes. They discussed the
form Of the contestants volubly, AMI
there were many arguments concern
ing the records of the various per
formers appearing before us, as we:
as the records set by those of other
cities and countries. Surprisingly
well informed they seemed, too, will
the times and distances of the sport
ing guides. When the men took theil
marks not a sound could be hearC
from the audience, but with the pol
of the gun bedlam broke loose. /
continued till the race was run ant
eliminated in nothing more or les
than a shrek as the victor broke thu
tape. Then came more discussions IL
which one considered himself an au
thority and his neighbor an ignora
mus, so far as sport was concerned
The Americans were not quite ia
miliar with some of the minor French
rules but these were explained by tn,
7. NJ. G A. and K of G. athletic di
rectors and they managed to win thei
share of victories on the track, AM
when the jumps, hurdles and fina
weight events were posted it was see
that the men from across the seas ha
cleaned up as one of the elate
doughbOys expressed it.
The affair came to a close with tn
presentation of ribbons, each accom-
panied by a neat little speech from tn
President of French athletic club. Il
closing he voiced the hope that thes
international meets would become tn
order of the day, and his sentimen
found approval with the crowd whic
cheered vociferously. Then the specta
tors streamed back to town; the ques
ton Of present performances and pas
records evidently being argued to
finish. r-%