Evening star., 1924-07-28


France was victorious at fencing
and cycling; Sweden, the modern PEN
tathlor and equestrian games; Fin
land. Graeco- Roman wrestling; Cru-
quay, soccer foot ball; Argentina,
polo, and Italy, weight lifting. Pre-
n1ter hoaors IN gymnastics were di-
Nided between CZechoSlovakia and
Switzerland.
The United States finished far ahead
in the total point scoring with 81.
France was second with "a, and the
other standings We're:
Sweden. 4415; Great Britain, Al 4 :,
Finland, "a; Norway, 31A: Switzer-
land, 29E; Italy, 25$4 Holland, 10;
elsium. ia: Denmark. Il; Argen-
Czechoslovakia, s; Esthonia, {; Aus
tria. >; Rumania. 4; Jugoslayia- 4
Spain, 3: Australia, 3; Portugal. .;
South Africa, /; Haiti, /; Egypt, q
Poland, 4.
Interesting Spectacle.
Yesterdays formaIitieS came as
something of an anti-climax to the
main branches of competition, which
Nided a spectacle which was inter-
eSting, as we'll as fitting Only a
handful Of the heroes of the stirring
athletic games was on hand when the
olympic prizes were awarded, and
fully half Of these were Americans
who were accorded an ovation when
the eray-haired veteran of sports
Col. Thompson received from Baron
Pierre de Coubertin, president of the
international committee. the lion 5
share of the laurels which had been
won by competitors representing the
United States.
The official pronounciamento of
Baron de Coubertin closing the Olym-
pic games was followed by a salvo of
five guns and appropriate music by a
band and choir. Coming at the
conclusion of the picturesque eoues-
tTlan sports, the closing ceremonies
also were participated in by the COM
petitorS in these and a brilliantly uni
formed bugle corps of the Republican
Guards.
Less than half the nations which
of their athletes were personally
represented. France acted on be-
half of the absentees, among whom
were the Argentines, whose repre-
sentatfVes departed homeward sew
eral days ago.
The ranks of the athletes and of
ficials of all nations had been rapid
ly depleted last week, and it was a
small band of survivors that marched
into the stadium behind the flags
which were borne, in the absence of
their nationals, by French marines.
Houser Leads Americana.
The American delegations was by
far the largest and most representa-
tive. The Stars and Stripes were
borne by Clarence Houser, University
of Southern California, the shot put
and discus champion. Other notable
Olympic performers in the process
sion included Jackson V. Scholz, New
York A c.. the 20O-meter champion;
F.. D. Tootell. Boston A G. the ham
mer throw king. and Francis Hus-
sey, the New York schoolboy sprinter
who helped the American 400-meter
relay team set world record.
monies the Olympic flag was turned
over to the custody of the city of
Paris, which will retain it for four
years and then hand it over to the
Dutch authorities to be used in the
1928 games in Amsterdam.
Standing out in the background of
the spectacular competition during
the games is the record breaking
track and field battle, in which Fin
lands little band of stars. headed by
Paavo NurIni and Willie Ritola took
a major share of the track glory
and gave the United States the
stronger fight for points its team ever
had.
But the American teams strength,
particularly in the field events,
proved the deciding factor. while in
the other branches of competition,
notably tennis, rowing, swimming,
boxing and wrestling, the United
States gained laurelS that ecIipsed
those of any rival.
officials Are Gratiied.
The coaches and the officials of
The American party expressed salts
faction of the performances of their
charges and gave voice in praise of
the treatment accorded them by the