Athletics (British Sports Library)

94 ATHLETICS a dash of about 120 yards-in which he will resume the true full lean and arm action of the short– distance sprinter (see Chapter II, Sketch 5). This final effort, however, must never be produced suddenly. He must gather himself together for it, otherwise he will lose his body angle, fight up and down, and possibly never reach the tape at all. Really strong runners with a great deal of staying power, but not so much fire as the sprinter proper, have got to be prepared to plug through the whole of the distance at _ the best speed they can muster. Sketch 3 shows excellent form at the finish of a race and exceptionally fine leg action. On the face of things it looks as though the sprinter, developed into a quarter-miler, has the best chance of success in a quarter mile. But, on the other hand, it is often actually the case that the distance man, who has already got the staying power, can make out best at the Quarter Mile if he develops mechanical sprint ability to the highest point of efficiency, such as will enable him to get the inside berth at the first dash for premier place. Lawson Robertson, the American Olympic coach, has laid it down, indeed, that a quarter-miler can protect himself only by attacking the sprints with renewed vigour and perfecting himself with the one consistent mearis of defence-i.e. the power of sprinting. ·- --- --