The mirror., 1920-10-21
THE OLYMPIC GAMES

The Olympic Games are grand insti-
tuition. Rightly conducted they are one of
the most satisfactory methods ever de-
vised for maintaining International good
feeling. The ancient Greeks who first
established these games laid aside all petty
jealousy and rivalry, of which they had
goodly share, to compete in chariot race
or discus throw. In so doing, they set an
example which may well be followed now.
America is justly proud of her athletes
and the manner in which they have up
held the traditions of this country abroad.
But the true spirit of good sportsmanship
comedies where it is due and avoids all
boastfulness in victory. America, or those
who record her athletic triumphs in the
press, have sometimes allowed patriotism
to interfere with these finer instincts of
good sportmanship. AS an illustration,-
Americans have never taken seriously any
Olympic events save those of the so-called
track and field, customary to college meets
in this country. So when American athe-
letes have won majority of points in such
track or field events at the Olympic Games,
we are told that America has again
triumphed in the Olympics, when such,
broadly speaking, is not necessarily the
case. We have merely triumphed in those
particular sports with which we are most
familiar and in which we are most adept.
The final result when all the varied activ-
tiles of these great contests are totalled up
are little noted on this side of the Allan
tic. Whenceehas arisen the saying that
every country wins its own Olympic
games, but America always wins the track
events.
Furthermore, even in this relatively
narrow field, America can well afford to
be fair and even generous. There were
thirty such events at the recent Olympics.
OF these American athletes won nine. But
her small army of athletes, much greater
than that of any other competing nation,
enabled her to roll up substantial total
in points because she won so many place
positions.
Americas total was 210 points. Fin
land, only Province of the Mighty Rus
sian Empire, with scarce the population
of Greater New York City, won half as
many. And she matched America by win
ming nine events, truly remarkable per-
formance for so small country.
America has done no more than could
be reasonably expected of her in the Olym-
pic Games, for she is far the largest of
the competing nations in point of numbers.
A more substantial satisfaction is hers
from the achievements of some of her in
dividual athletes. For these athletes es-
tablished three new Worlds Records and
a Worlds Record is thing of which any
nation may well be proud. No true ath-
lete is ever satisfied. In long distance
running and walking, America was hope
lessly outclassed. In the pole vault she
shone but pole vaulting is peculiarly
American sport. In the hurdle race, in
the high jump and in the sprints she was
also conspicuous. But the competition from
other nations is growing keener. 1t is not
too early to prepare for the next Olympic.
The true spirit of the Olympic Games
is the greatest thing about them. For self
satisfaction or boastfulness are entirely
alien to that spirit The Olympic Games
will no doubt, in good time supercede war
as friendly method of displaying Inter-
national rivalry.
In war everything is fair. In athletic
sport many things are not only unfair, but
are not allowed. For good sportsmanship
is only another word for justice, fairness
and friendliness.-BasebaN Magazine.