Evening star., 1921-12-11
Competition in Sports '
Fostered by Countries

Same is true between tho government
Of Canada and that of the United
States as regards the fisherHen's boat
races, begun last year. in the latest
contest of which the Canadian
schooner Bluenose was the victor.
Turing the past week svordsnen
- of the United States and Great
| Britain have been engaged In New
York and Washington in information
al fencing matches which have
brought together a number OF ohl-
GERS Of the American and British ar
mics. This is the latest OF the attn
letic events sponsored by govern
ments to insure a better spirit OF
| amity.
Athletics pick up the thread Of In
| ternational understanding where the
diplomats leave off. in the opinion Of
leaders In sports in this country--or
perhaps athletic competitions lead to
an easier understanding OF the prob
lens the diplomats have to face. In
either event, there is not a question
Of doubt that the several athletic
events in which the competitors come
from different nations and ofiiciaily
represent those nations have resulted
in a vastly better understanding. not
only among the athletes themselvs,
but among the entire population Of
each country
The United States and England,
| more than any other two countries,
| specialize in sports. and their sports.
| with two or three exceptions, are SO
| similar in character that intesna-
| tional competition is thus fostered.
We have base ball and the British
| have their cricket. We have foot
ball and the British have q dehy-
| drafted edition of tho same game. In
| all other sports the two countries
| are the same.
France is making a determined er-
fort to produce winners in sporting
| events of all kinds, and in this she
| has the backing of the government
through the ministry OF sports. Eng
! land has not such a ministry, but
] high government officials give their
official support to all athletic con-
! British open championship and Mile
| Lenglen is conceded to be one Of the
| worlds greatest tennis players.
| France, ably backed by government
money. reigns almost supreme in all
branches Of aviation. and her foot
runners have proven themselves as
| fast as those of other nations.
f, Behind the lines in France during
the war sports had a very distinct
place. Realizing the Importance OF
| mental relaxation from the strain of
war. all the allied governments made
special provision for sporting events
when the men were off duty. There
have been stories that both British
and American soldiers engaged in
athletic contests within a few yards
OF points where shells from enemy
batteries were falling.
| Men high in the Official councils Of
the United States and England not
only fosters sports OF their countries
but set their countrymen a good ex-
ample by playing the games them
selves. In this country We have the
chief executive, President Harding.
golfer of no mean skill and q man
who is always actively interested in
all sorts OF sporting events. The
Senate Of the United States boasts 4
number Of good golfers. while from
| the various foreign embassies ana
Legations in Washington como nuu-
bers Of attaches who play their
games with skill and ardor.
| Practically all the. officials Of the
British government are golfers. Pre-
mier Lloyd George is one OF the vast
army of British players. although he
enjoys fishing fully as much a the
ancient Scottish game. Castor Vidal,
the French minister of sports. IL an
enthusiastic follower Of sports and
has recently learned the American
game of base ball.