Evening star., 1924-07-23
Editors BestOw Great Praise
On Finnish Olympic Athletes

1t was no surprise to American
editors when their countrymen car
ried of the honors in the Olympic
track and field contestssfor the eighth
successive time. But the remarkable
accomplishment Of the Finnish ath-
letes, who won 10 to Americas IL
first places was unexpected and call
ed forth the warmest expressions of
admiration for little Finland as the
real hero of the 1924 Olympics.
"The hats Of their countrymen are
OF to the American premier ath-
letes," says the Minneapolis Tribune,
''but 1t is good to think that these
same hats are. of to the plucky con-
tenders from Finland, runners up in
the general competition" for, re
markable as were the performances
Of those who represented the United
States, the feat of two or three
Finlanders were even more notable" !"
sport, the New York Herald-Tribune
declares, has been so spectacular as
the achievement of the Olympic
Finns." Great athletes would be ex-
pected from America, the Chicago
Tribune feels, but "the success of the
smaller countries is more remarkable
and that of the Firms, particularly in
consistent. 1t is not a flash at one
meeting. but can be depended upon,
evidently emerging from national
characteristics" It would be hard to
say. continues the st. Louis Post
Dispatch, whether the American
winning or the Firms by losing in
the track and field competition of
Colombes," for. "Finland's moral VIC
tory in achieving second place is in
a way more impressive" certainly
there is sturdiness in this little
nations sons which the overcivilized
may well envy"
with all the praise given the
Americans that is their due, tho moral
victory must be accorded Finland's 8
competitors" agrees the Indianapolis
News. which holds the country that
| Is hardly more than q speck on the
map of Europe is q rival to be ad-
mired and respected when it comes to
physical endurance, an indication of
! other admirable qualities in Its
people," When one thinks Of Great
Britain being represented in the
Olympic finals with tho figure, 36H.
| and sees that the Firms had nearly
| twice as many points," the Sioux
City Journal remarks, "one may
readily believe that the Firms are
| remarkable people" America has
maintained her general supremacy in
the Olympic games. according to the
New York Evening World, ''but the
outstanding heroes of the contests
are the hardy sons OF little Finland.
Compared with all other nations these
sons Of the fields and forests we're -
giants to weakltngs. Compare Amer
lea with Finland in population. and
then compare the records In these
games, and who shall say that ours
| has been the triumphr
The Milwaukee Journal 10 pleased
and proud that our athletes have
hept our record unblemished. but In
our rejoicing We must pause to ex.
press our admiration for little Finland
her men gave as clean. hard
battle."-
Of all civilised people, the Man
chester Union points out. the Firms
| have the hardest struggle with OK
| istence, the coldest climate. the poor.
est and stoniest SOIL, the mtsttesl
sky, the longest. darkest wtnterss'
yet there has resulted this remark
able nation Of athletes ana by %
lneana = 1esplA re n4Ee hraf4 3oteA