The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-12-16
COATEhDERS
N OLYMPIC GAMES.

Athletes from China, Japan. the
Philippines and other Far Eastern
countries may be contenders for hon
ors at the seventh Olympiac to be
held at Antwerp. next August, and
Tor certainty will be formidable con
tenders at succeeding Olympiads. so
keen has become the interest fostered
by the Y M. G. A. in these countries.
In China, particularly, the interest in
American athletics mas caused a de-
mand to come from all parts OF THIS
great new republic for "A native ma
tional amateur athletic association
. II. A. Leake. physical director for
the "Y" at Foochow, China. reports
that the need for this has grown dur
ing the past few years, owing 10 in
tersectional athletics and Chinas
participation in the Far Eastern Oily
pics, held at Manila. On the occa-
sion OF the assem- bling of the Chinese
teaep OF more thar one hundred
picked men at. Manila. 1t was decided
to make a start toward organizing
appointed 10 draft ana present such
a constitution and bylaws This has
been done and IL has been distributed
for correction and criticism. The
completion Of the organization Ger
tainly will be effected during the COM
ing veal"
A great rivalry in American athle-
tics has sprung UP between China and
Japan since the Chinese athletes
outpointed the Japanese in the Far
Eastern Olympics last summer, al
though the meet was won by the
Philippine Islanders.
Skating and skiing have become
popular in. Japan. and although that
country is called the Land of the
Cherry Biossotns. parts Of it have
heavy falls Of snow and several weeks
Of splendid ice each winter China
has taken the hint from Japan, and
an Oriental Johnnie Nilsson may APP
pear on a sport program in the not
far distant future. The America
swing and the American pep are
rapidly being acquired by the Far
Eastern athletes. who are getting
down to a real training basis
Baseball. football and basketball.
In addition to track and field sports,
are rapidly growing in popularity in
many parts of China. John Brad
shaw physical director OF the ''y" at
Annoy. China, writes: The basket
bali league has proved a splendid sue
.cees. Large crowds have attended
the games and great deal of interest
has been shown. SO that even the
middle schools have taken up this
sport"
Bradshaw also reports an increased
interest in American athletics in the
Chinese army. General Chen, head
OF the Southern forces" he writes
sent for me TO come to Changchow
to run or big athletic meet for
his troops He personally spent more
than 5000 to make II a success and
II certainly was that and more Next
year he is planning for a bigger and
better meet"
AT Annoy. Bradshaw is making
plans for n huge athletic field which
VIII have track with a 500 yard
sfraight-away. and will adjoin "A
modern gymnasium
bradshaw, IRake, and nearly a
score OF other "Y'' physical directors
are pushing a program of training
athletic leaders and coaches from the
best material that shows up in the
many meets and tournaments that are
held, with the result that a large
number OF Chinese trainers and
coaches are being developed who wilt
spread the American idea of sport
throughout the Chinese provinces.
The fact that an amateur athletic as
sccia ton tn being organised thu ough-
out China shows conclusively that
modern sport has taken root here and
II is possible that some real char4-
pions will come out Of the Far East
IN the" not distant future.