The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1919-02-21
.ere and Ohere
By Mrs. Byrd Trego

as old as time and perhaps not more
varied now than at the season Of
early athletic contests in ancient
Olympia. There are more peope
now ODE amused, and the variety
and mixture of races with more in.
dependence of movement induces a
greater scope in Entertainment.
The Olympia games were re-or-
ganized in the ninth century, B. c.,
as a promotion of newly established
peace between all Greek states. The
games were held every four years
| at tn first full moon after the sum-
mer solstice, which occurs June 81,
| believe. The event was in the form
of festival and lasted five days.
| The earliest and most important
contest was the stadion or short foot
race of about 200 yards; then a
longer one of twenty-four stadia. A
stadium is a Greek measure for 1876
PAGES, equal to COG feet nine inches
in our measurements. Stadia is the
plural for stadium. Then came a
long race of twenty-four stadia,
wrestling, all round contests in run
ming, leaping, jumping, throwing the
QUOT, the javelin, boxing, chariot
races with four horses, the horse
race, boy contests in much the same
games, foot races in heavy armor
and so on.
Laer on were introduced contests
in oratory, painting, sculpture and
music. The prize in each instance
being a wreath of sacred olive leaves,
of no value at all in itself, but carry
ing the glory of an Olymyian victor,
who obtained a substantial reward
from the city and other privileges.
The game died out in the fourth
century A. D.
In the recent years there have
been REVEALS all over the world with
public interest constantly increasing
since 1896. l believe the last con-
test was held in 1912 in Stockholm,
Sweden, witnessed by $4,000 people
of every class and station from the
king and queen down to the most
humble walks of life. The games
consisted of track and field events,
diving, swimming, rowing, sailing, |
riding, bicycling, water polo, shoot
ing and wrestling. The prize for |
sculpture being awarded to Lone
Walter Winans, an American, for his
model of horse and sulky.
The United States has taken first
place in track and field events since
1896 and in 1912 made sweeping
yictory, scoring eighty-five points,
while all the other competing ma
ions together only won ninety-f0ur.
There were twelve competitors with
United States eighty-five, Finland
wenty-nine, Sweden twenty-four,
Germany four, Hungary one, Norway
wo, Greece four, England thirteen,
canada seven, Italy one, South Africa
i've. One of our North American
indians came out with high honors,
ut do nit recall his special deed of
alor or his name. He was gradu-
tie of the Carlyle school for Indians, i
owever.
Field sports or to be quite exact,
cid and track athletics include all :
orms of outdoor sports as we know .
he mtoday. Gymnastics refer to
eats of skill and strength carried
n indoors.
Students in high school, prepare
Dry schools and colleges have been
lrgely influenced by the strength
nd physical prowess of the Greeks
nd Romans, following the example
[ the greatest people the old world
new. The hurting of weights and
,ot races of the Greeks are INDUCED
today in modified form, tho no ex-
It comparison can be made between
lie records of ancient and modern
,hletics. The Greek ran naked over
sank track and knew nothing of
lie stop watch, neither was the dis
nee the same as of today. The
eight he threw was called a discus
Id varied contiderably.
We are quite familiar with the
ord Marathon which is at present
led frequently in connection with
OF and other races as we'll as the
aging of athletic games in general.
have supposed we reached back
the earl ygames for it, but find 1t
d not apply to the games. 1t is
plain over grown with fennel
ghteen miles northeast of Athens
d derives its name from this plant
weed as we call it. 1t was the
q of famous battle 400 B. c., in
lich the Greeks lost 1872 and Per-
ms 6400. This was called the de-
,sive battle of the world at that
ne. 1t seems to have never been
9 seat of games, but celebrates
,tory instead. The games were
Id always at Olympia.
Marathon was selected in 1896 at
e revival of these sports for the
me applied to race between this
int and Athens, a distance as they
mt of twenty-six miles. 1t is now
zen to all notable long distance
1t races which owe their origin
those of Athens in 1896, but a
al place is added, such as Yale
ration or Madison square Marat-
n or San Francisco Marathon.
Isat down to write on amusements
our country but drifted off to
,se larger ones that are Of no more
portance other than they create
PRECEDENT, something for us to
tate and follow, perhaps our local
rs will come next.