The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1939-08-19
Great Record
On Ciinder Path
Runners Made
Olympic Marks
By Eddie Tolan


As executive director OF the 70
years OF Negro Progress EXPOSE
ton. many friends have asked II
the field OF athletics would be the
outstanding exhibit OF the fair
Perhaps many feel that because OF
my past efforts along the above
line the major emphasis will be
placed into this channel.
| do believe mot because of my
athletic experienced that few
realize that this field has done
more TO break down racial barriers
and establish international good
will than any other. II would be
comparatively easy matter 10 design
the exposition so that the 6eld OF
athletics would be the most out
standing attraction at the fair. For
example, events depicting the his
tory OF the Negro on the cinder
path could be just this.
Drew Hurt
Few people would consider n
worth theif while TO see Howard
Drew winning his semi-hnal heat
In the 100-meter dash at the lsl2
Olympic Games in Stockholm.
Sweden aud learning why he failed
TO appear for the final race. Per-
haps. few people would like 10
see Harry Edwards. a Negro athlete
OF the West Indies. finishing third
in the 100-meter dash at the 1920
Olympic Games at Antwerp, Bel
GUM or Sol Butler. best jumper AT
the IS. In the same games as he
hurt himself in the qualifying
rounds.
No doubt more would like 10 see
the Olympic Games as conducted
In Paris. France, in 1924. where
DeHart Hubbard lad Ned Gourdin
finished first and second in the
broad jump. While others would
prefer seeing the 1928 Olympic
Games In Amsterdam, Holland.
where Jack London, Negro from
British Guiana, could get no bet
ter than sixth place in the finals
OF the 100 meter dash or why Phil
Edwards. the Negro athlete, run
ming for Canada could do not bet
ter than fourth in the 500 meters.
or still again see DeHart Hubbard
winning the broad jump again and
Ed Gordon competing in the same
event.
Breaks Jump Record
$. Gator. from Haiti, failed 10 get
a place In the finals but r week
later set a new worlds record for
the broad jump I'm Paris. France.
Because the 1882 Olympic Games
were held In Los Angeles. few ifI
any would waste their time 10 see
those events again. however. Ne
gro athletes finished first in the
100, 200, high Jump and broad
jump and placed second and third
In both 500 and 1900 meters this
in the 200 and 100 meters respec-
lively. Phil Edwards Of Canada rot
srd in both 500 and 1900 meters
this time.
In the eleventh Oiympiad IN Ber-
lin many would enjoy seeing Jesse
owens winning the 100 and 200
meters, broad jump and being
issmber OF the victorious 400 me-
ter relay team or TO be thrilled by
seeing williams and Woodruff win
ming the 400 and 500 meter runs:
or TO see Cornelius johnson and
Dave Albritton tie at a new worlds
record height. We also had other
athletes who got second in the 100
200. 400 meters and The high hurd-
les. Phil Edwards got srd in 500
meters. making him the nrst race
athlete 10 ever make three Olym-
pie aud place In each one.
Highest Award
have just briefly mentioned
the results OF our athletes in the
Olympic Games, the highest hon
on an amateur track athlete can
receive. There are other events that
would draw large number Of
people 20 see our race boys COM
(Contlnued on pare is)