The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-20
FRENCH ENTHUSED AS 1924 OLYMPIC MEET IS PLANNED

BOSTON, Jan. 19.=A picture of the preparations now in the making for the Olympiad at Paris next year, with especial reference to the inter- ests of United States athletes, is pre- sented in the report of President William c. Prout of the A. A. U., of Albert Geiger. IT,, of this city, a member of the board of governors of the A. A. U., who has returned from visit to Colombes, scene of the 1924 games. Mir Geiger said 1t was his general impression that the French authorities were making their plans well in advance and that the country was enthusiastic over the games. The track as planned by them is being projected, he said, as one lon which the making of new worlds records would be possible"
 The report says in part:
 T went to the Colombes stadium in a taxi in 25 minutes from the center of Paris, which really makes it quite accessible. You can also go by train to station which will be built in plenty of time before the game, in less than 15 minutes They are also planning to build a new boulevard up to the stadium from Neuilly. which is just outside the Paris gates.
 Constructing Stadium.
 "The stadium itself is about one third completed. The grand stands are covered on either side of the track, and the ends are banked up standing room. This standing room runs around the entire track, even in front of the grand stands. The grand stands are to be fairly steep and should give a very good view
 !, of concrete. Underneath the stands there is ample dressing room space which would easily take care of 30 men, each with good shower bath layout, rubbing rooms, etc. The en- trance and exit arrangements also are well laid out
 They were working on the track It is to be put on a splendid foun- dation. It is about 25 feet wide and they expect to have it completed by spring. It will be we'll packed down this summer, and in the. spring oi 1924 1t will again be worked over They should have ultimately as good a track as could be desired. They have a special red cinder which seems to pack very well The runs and take-offs for the running broad jump and high jump are in, and seem to be well laid out. The track is 50-meter track and of course looks considerable larger than our quarter mile tracks. They have a fine football field in the middle, and are apparently going to feature rugby and soccer. There is also 8 practice track. not quite as hard as the championship track. to be built just outside the stadium, to be useo for training.
 Housing the Athletes.
 Allan H. Muhr, international sec retary, says the French people are warming up to the proposition satis- factorily, although he had only re- ceived final instructions to go ahead from the French Olympic committed shortly before I arrived.
 Tn the matter of housing, I do not believe the small house proposition will be practical for track men. would suggest the track men be housed somewhere near the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. where there are many small hotels. If this proves too expensive, good accommodations could be had at Neiully, just outside the gates, for much less money Busses could be used for the men tc go back and forth to the track to train, and altogether I think you would find some such arrangement as suggested to be very satisfac- tory."