Athletics of To-Day 1929

-------~------- CHAPTER XXIII SoME PoiNTS IN ATHLETIC SciENCE I HAVE often heard it said that the human limit in the way of record breaking must be very nearly in sight. But, so far from this being the case, I believe that we are at present upon the threshold of such fresh discoveries as will make possible far more startling records than any that have yet been established. There is far more in the 11 make-up" of a record breaker than simply speed and strength and skill. There are the moral qualities of pluck, patience, and perseveranc , and the mental attributes of physical cleverness and comprehension. It is undoubtedly the development of a greater degree of physical cleverness, as the outcome of a mor complete under– standing of the why and wherefor of ev rything that tak s place, that is going to bring about an altogether higher standard of general achievement. And this, in its turn, will be the result of the close scientific study of sport that is now engaging the attention of famous physiologists. In the past, America has ruled th athletic world. Of forty– five world's running records at recognised distances, fifteen are held by Americans. Nearly all of them are at distances up to 440 yards, and the majority were made in alifornia. Of ten relay records, Am rica holds nine, Germany that for 4 x I,soo m tres. Of the six hurdling records, four belong to America and one each to Canada and South Africa. In the field events the preponderance of America is even more pronounced than at the sprint distances. Th United States holds ten, Finland two, and Australia and Sweden one each. t the running distances of over 440 yards, Great Britain comes into her own with eleven records, as against Finland seven, Sweden six, and 343