Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-01-31
WARS EFFECT
ON AMERICAN
ATHLETICS

New York. Jan. 29-The effect of
tile present war upon American track
and field athletics can be accurately
guaged by the fact that for the first
time in some years there was not a
single claimant for new worlds rec
ord at the close Of the 1917 season.
This IS the first year in a decade that
one or more performances by Amer
lean athletes have not been reviewed
and prepared for acceptance by the
international Amateur Athletic FEEDER
alton. The same situation prevails in
other countries which normal times
/ devote considerable attention. to track
and fields sports. So far as is known
there were but two athletes whose rec
ords. made during 1917 appear en-
titled to acceptance by the l. A. a. F.
These are Zander the Swedish middle
distance runner and Hacknor, the jaw
elm thrower, both of whom trained un-
der Ernie Hjertberg.
During the past year eight American
athletic records were equalled or sur
passed but in no case did the perform
ance reach worlds record standard
In sharp contrast to this was the work
of the American swimmers for both in
Eatatoriums and in open water the ex-
ponents of the crawl trudgeon and
! other strokes clipped stable slices for
the best previous figures in various
events. No less than five new records
were made under the rules of the In
ternational Swimming Federation and
these will be duly accepted when a
! M nf ic hal
after the declaration of peace has re
stored conditions.
No such string Of track records for
the past year is awaiting the action of
the international Amateur Athletic
Federation. There has been but one
formal conference of this organizations,
which followed Immediately after the
formation of the federation. At that
meeting long list of worlds amateur
records was passed upon and
accepted and a list of regulations
drawn up for the handling Of any rec
ords established in the future. This
gathering was held early in 1914 in
France. Within Il few months the
European war broke out and ended
the activity Of the organizat ton.
ne dlGlctlC dSSOCldllOIS OI CUo
countries which subscribed to the or
ganization Of the l. A. A. F., however.
have kept careful record of all athletic
performances which merit the consid-
Grafton Of the federation and these will
be submitted to that body at its first
meeting following the close of the war.
At the present time the American Am
ateur Athletic Union has fifteen records
which equal or surpass existing figures
and these having been accepted by the
American organization, will in turn, be
presented to the international group
for it's sanction and stamp Of approval.
Four of these performances were
made in 1914 and an equal number the
following season. In 1915 the number
increased TO seven but, as stated be
fore. the past year saw no track or
field record approaching those already
on the books. Since 1900 American
athletes have established As records
which have been or eventually will be
accepted by the l. y. A. F. During
this perioa there have been but six
years in which the nations star per-
formers have failed to equal or bet
ter existing records. 1907 was the last
blank year, previous to 1917. and II