Athletes in Action

SPRINTING (4) I~ Figs. 9 and 10 opposite the runner shows a wasteful amount of back kick-up with the foot of the rear leg. lie is using up energy and losing time unnecessarily, whereas the knee-stride action should have enabled him to carry the leg upwards and forwards from the full extension, sho·wn in Fig. 8 on page 24; after which, traction and elevation having been obtained, he should simply jab the foot do·wn again. Apart from the fault of the heel kick-up the position shown by Jonath in Figs . 9 and 10 is very good . There is excellent conservation of energy, the body is compact and well-poised and, above all, the body shows an easy relaxation which means that the arms and legs, which contribute the motive po·wcr, can function with perfect freedom . Another important point to observe is that the runner's gaze is directed straight down the track and that he is carrying his feet with the toes pointed straight ahead, so that there is no danger of his rolling or wobbling in his stride. The finish of the race I have refrained from illustrating, with malice aforethought. There arc many types of finish, some very excellent, but the best of all is the finish in which the runner goes bang through the ·worsted, pitched right up on his toes, \vithout brealing the rhythm of his running action. t-l ""-l