Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-07
OLYMPIC GAMES
PROPOSED FOR D. c.
w. A. Du Puy Urges Washing
ton Be Chosen Site for
Athletic World Fair.

Suggestion that a campaign no
launched to win for the National
Capital the Olympic games In 1892
which would he held in conjunction
with an athletic Worlds Fair as a
most fitting bi,centennial celebration
Of the birth of George Washington
was made today by William Anterior
Du Puy. newspaper man and author.
in letter To Senator Simeon n. F'ess.
chairman of the Washington Bi-
centennial Celebra ton.
Mr.. Du Puy reminds Senator F'ess
that the American public nowadays is
not Interested in the old type of fairs
which nave proven so successful in
the past hut that An athletic world s
fair could not fail to appeal strongly
to citizens in every quarter of the
globe. He points out that Los
Angeles has tentatively been selected
as the scene for the 1892 OLYMPIC
games, which are scheduled for the
United States but that they doubt
less could he switched to Washing
ton il the proper support can be OBJ
tanned from the American contingent.
Better for Entire L. s.
AS an argument for changing the
scene of the Olympic games from Los
Angeles to Washington, Mr.. Du Puy
states. the journey of most of the par
ticipa nts would be made some 5000
miles shorter. while the bulk of the
population Of the United States would
have better chance to view the
games.
MY idea would be-" continues Mr..
Du Puy In his letter. that the Olympic
games should he made the central fea
ture Of the celebra ton. Around them.
however. could he built a much more
elaborate series of events than is A
part of the usual program. An athletic
program that would last three or four
months could easily he. developed.
Our own national sports OF ha sc
ball and foot ball could be made to
properly supplement the central
Olympic idea. An idea OF state con.
tests-a program that was national
rather than internationally would have
place. The armies and navies of the
world could he invited to enter vari.
Gus competitions. One naturally
thinks of airplane races. There are
many elements Of drill, infantry and
cavalry, that could be made com
petitive, Polo is among the popula
games of armies. The Potomac pre-
sents An admirable setting for al
sorts of aquatic sports. including boat
racing There Is no end to the pos
sibilities Of extending the program.
Sees Great Athletic Event.
"A celebra ton of this sort woulC
be the greatest athletic event that
has ever been staged in the history
of the world. The interest that the
press has in athletics would warrant
II unparalleled publicity and public.
ity is the fundamental basis for the
success of an undertaking OF this sort
The battle would he half won by the
very nature of the program.
And from the standpoint Of Wash
ington the advantages would h
many. In the first place, the city
would be filled for months with the
sport fans of the Nation and the
world The advantages Of the pres
ence OF throngs Of people would bt
reaped. Because Of these events the
Washington date line would dominat Il
the news OF the world. In the sec
ond place staging such an event woulC
of necessity call for the development,
Of a magnificent stadium, for suitable
athletic fields, which would be paid
for out Of gate receipts and become
permanent Improvements to the city