Athletics as a Game
Athletics. By Harold H. Abrahams. (Harrap. 2s. 6d.) ATHLETICS, in the special sense of the word, may be a very good game. It may call out the same qualities as cricket or rowing, and yet not lose its individual gusto. In the past the game in the sport was spoiled largely by the custom of giving absurdly expensive prizes, in schools, colleges and in local competitions of all sorts. A determined effort to weed out the selfishness in athletics, as well as to improve- the 'art, has been made by a inimber of University athletes,, who have represented the nation and populariZed the compara- tively new and excellent relay race. Mr. Renwick, instru- mental in fostering the new athletic spirit in the newest Public School, concludes his excellent little manual with a plea .for the Medal in lieu of the cup ; and what he says on behalf of the relitY races, that the Achilles Club is now attempting to encourage' in sehoOls, should be brought to the notice of everyone whO has anything to do with any sports anywhere. IneidentallY they giN,7e the spectator a peculiar sort of thrill; may one say a real thrill, that is absent from any other athletic spectacle. On some technical points older athletes will join issue- With fife Renwick. • He is "writing for bays, small as well as big, but omits to call attention to some of the cardinal sins of the beginner.- For example, almost - every callow athlete steps a few inches backwards when the pistol flies ; and it was for this reason that athletes in the era preceding Mi. Renwick's were instructed in what was called the " dab " stint. - - - - • !The really astounding difference between the running and jumping of the present and preceding generation is brought out by Sir Montague Shearman in his preface to.Mr. Abrahams' 'book. He quotes his own primitive advice in the Badminton `Athletics as a contrast- h3 the eiCeeiling-precision 'the }sten treatise. Mr. Abrahams became the most skilled sprinter and long jumper Of his time, largely by taking "thetight, His advice (which includes instruction on the thoughtful mil - of that athletic instrument, the tooth-brush !) may seer to some to suffer from excess of precision. But nothing so' good has been written, even by American trainers. Fot specialists, young or old, it is incomparable ; and for the first, time tries to establish the scientific basis of the gamt of athletics.
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