East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-10-21
MUST TRAIN
DISTANCE MEN OR Be
DETHRONED IN GAMES
1924 olympics May Produce
New Wearer of Crown as
Athletic Champion of World
if 1920 Showing is Guide.
Ry HENRY l.. FARRELL

/ Omitted Press Staff Correspondent
NEW YORK. oct. 2l.-"America Is
through. The athletic crown worn so
long by the United States is destined
for another head in the Olympic Of
1924"
This boast was made in Antwerp by
the Firms and the Swedes following
the late olympic contests in which the
Americans were overwhelmingly vict-
orloug.
The failure of the Americans u
clean up in the track events above
the sprints led the foreign experts to
draw the conclusion that the new gem
Grafton Of Yankee athletes lacks en-
duranoe and stamina.
II is a matter OF record that the
Americans dil fail 70 take any Of the
distance events with the exception OF
the 30OO-metpe team race. won on the
last day OF the games.
But the conclusion Of the European
critics that the poor showing was a
result Of decline in the physical pow
ers Of the rev school OF America ath-
etcs is wrong.
The American distance runners did
not sweep the track as did the sprint
ers, because thoy had no opportunity
to train. The time was so short be-
tore the opening Of the games, the
conditions so disagreeable on their trip
TO Antwerp ami lhe weather so aoom
inabl that they were the victims of
circumtances. The
Swedes and the Firms whose power
was noted in the long d stance runs,
had the advantage of two weeks in
Antwerp previous to the opening of
the games during which they were
able to use the stadium track daily
and get acclimated to the peculiar
weather conditions.
May Have 1t ffcr Fight
II is fact that America had
harded time to win the 1920 games
than she ever had before and II is
foregone conclusion that she will have
much SITTER opposition in 1924.
Sezlng upon the showing made by
the American distance men, the fore
ign nations especially. Sweden Fin
land and England are going to set
out to develop new talent in the fieiu
and track events in which the Amerl-
cans we're able to make the cleanup
that gave them victory.
Americas task before the next
games will be to develop a new school
of distance runners and to find young
sters to take the place of Pat MeDon-
laid. Paddy Ryan, Mutt McGrath, Dan
Ahearn. Mike Deyanney, Ted Mered tn
and some others of the old school
who showed in the last games that
they are through.
England, strong in the running e.
vents will turn her auent'on to the
ldevelopment of hurdlers and field
stars. The Swedes feel the necessity
of developing a bunch of good sprint
ers, The Films ucperstars In the ia
velin, will set out to develop other
field stars and sprlnters to help bal
lance team strong IN long distance
Ipower.
Encourage Youths in Sports
American athletic officials have al
ready started campaign to encoar'
age athletics in high schools. Theil
)hope is to have evntually a skillet
man in charge of athletics who car
discourage Young athletes from burn
inr themselves out" in trying to VIII
Swedes, under the direction OF Ernl'
Hjertsberg. have gone into "speclah
zation" with the greatest success. The'
hold up the idea TO the youngsters ina
II is better to excel in one event thal
Ito be half good in dozen.
The next Olympics probably will b
held in Los Angeles. The Information
al oIympicCommitte meets in Lucern
next spring and will decide betwee
the California city and Rome, whic
has been making a strong bid for tn
\ games.
N Los Angeles seems TO be the favor
H ite. The Swedes. Firms. English, an
\ French, dlsgusted with manner
|I which the games were conducted
II Antwerp, have demanded that II
X games be given to America. not on
N because they believe an American cll
N trey are anxious to get the Joy RE
X trip" to the Pacific Coast.
Held in America, the next GAM
N would not present as many prolen
for Americans that would be faced
II the necessity of another long trip in
H foreign country. The weather cond
U tions in California would be ideal {
. the Americans, the short trip would