Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-29
WORLDS GREATEST
ATHLETES PARADE
Nearly 5000 Men and Wom-
en- on Review in Amster-
dam ST. ium.
BY FRANK H. KINGS,
Associated Press SHORTS Writer.

AMSTERDAM. July 2S.-Wllh
n impressive pageantry and cere-
II mony carried out In fine SUM-
4 4 shiny weather after a stormy
morning, the ninth Olympiad
of modern times opened this afternoon
in the great red brick stadium, which
stands like a medieval fortress in the
outskirts of Amsterdam.
A soul-stirring scene was enacted as
nearly 5000 men and women. the
flower of the athletic world, in color
full uniforms, with bands playing and
the flags of all nations flying, circled
the stadium track. The grandstands
were packed with 10000 cheering peo-
pie. The whole scene formed pris-
matte picture of ecstatic youth.
Outside the stadium $4,000 Dutch
and many foreigners, who came to
Holland to see the games. but found
it impossible to obtain tickets at any
price. jammed the streets and plazas
so tightly that delegations of athletes
of a number of nations had difficulty
entering the stadium.
Americans Number 800.
Three hundred Americans-one of
the largest national representation
participated in the parade of the ma
tons athletic proves. Hollands COM
petitors numbered 400, and Germany's
and the British Empires 800 each, but
Britain's dominions and overseas pos
sessions marched as individual units
scattered through the long line. which
took an hour to pass the prince con-
sorts reviewing stand.
After circling the stadium each team
formed a column on the vivid green
oval within the track and from there
a representative of each nation ad-
vanced with his national banner for
administration of the Olympic oath.
The United States as "Vereenidge
Staten" in Dutch, was next to the last
nation in the march past. Greece. as
the country where the games were re-
born, was first. and Holland. as host.
last
Promptly at 2 O'Clock the inspiring
spectacle on the march of the nations
began as the Greek Olympic team filed
through the marathon gate. The ath-
letes paraded in sports costumes mostly
the men with white shoes and trous-
ers. vari-colored coats and straw hats.
with their national insignia on coats
and hatbandS. and the girls mostly in
sports dress.
Following Greece came the Arsen-
tine delegation, hundred strong, then
the Australians led by Winter. 1924
Olympic winners in the hop, step and
Jump. Next came the Belgians in pink
sweaters. and half a dozen Bulgarian
army officers in uniforms.
Canada's Team lie Cheered.
Canadas fine team of nearly $50
men and women all in white drew pro-
longed cheering as they marched gayly
around the running track toward the
reviewing stand Chile's team greeted
the prince consort with organized
cheering like a college yell. The prac-
teal Danes marched in ordinary street
clothes-the only nation represented
which did not stop.
Germanys big team wore semi-eve-
ming dress and the Egyptians Sported
red fezzes. The Firms. blond and bare
headed. swept past in close formation.
Br;tain's delegation followed two tow
ering Scots in Highland dress.
Like Haiti. Panama and Cuba had
one-man teams which drew applause
from all the grandstands instead OF
only those sections where their COM
patriots were seated.
Ireland followed the Irish Free State
flag. being the only British empire dele
CATION not displaying the Union Jack.
Likewise the Philippine team carried the
Philippine flag instead of that of the
United States. Italians in Alpine hats.
gray uniforms and blue ties outstretched
their right arms in the Fascist salute
as they neared the reviewers.
Japan'S team in blue coats and
Switzerland'S In flaming crimson ones
were among the most picturesque dele
cations. The place of honor among the
Japanese went 10 the girl athlete.
Hitome. The Lithuanian athletes we're
led by girl competitor In a trick suit
and Luxembourg'S team included two
men in purple bathing suits. The
Monaco section was headed by a Boy
Scout, PolandS included score Of
stOckinglesS girls.
Red. White and Rlue
The stadium oval was almost filled
with athletes when the American team
headed by Bud HouSer and Johnny
WeisSmueller who were followed by
Mai. Gen. Douglas Macarthur swung
through the great square Marathon,
gate. The team. wearning blue coats
and bearing red. white and blue shields
on the left breast. marched four abreast.
the Olympic officialS leading. The girls
were next In line, then each team with
Its coaches.
The assembled national groups stood
In column formation during the formal
opening ceremonies which included the
releasing OF several thousand pigeons
simultaneously. The birds circled the
stadium several times before they dis
appeared over the low-lying Dutch
countryside cannonS doomed and
trumpeterS high up In the Marathon
tower heralded the opening of the
games
AS the prince conSort pronounced the
Olympic open column OF black smoke
emerged from the top of the Marathon
tower
Departure Of the athletes from the
stadium was more informal than their
entrance. They waved hats and hand
kerchiefS 10 friends in the grandStandS.
Close national friendships we're ind
Gated by applause as each team
marched past the others on the way out
The Americans applauded the British.
particularly Canada and Ireland The
Egyptians cheered the Turks the
C1eehs eheered the JugoSlavS and other