Athletics

i8 A7HLET1CS. 1879. Here there were forty-one competitors for thirteen events, a steeplechase and ten miles run being added. No contemporary University athletecompeted, but two " late " members tookpart. One very good move was made—the fixing of a standard in each event, all reaching which received a medal. W. G. George made his first appearance in a championship, and won both themile and four miles. Of course things could not go on thus, and the Univer­ sities soon came to a compromise, but the A.A.C., i.e. a handful of men, announced the championship for 22 March, 1880. This was killed, however, by the Inter- 'Varsity AthleticClubs refusing to recognize any champion­ ship untilthe formationof an Amateur Athletic Association. Immediate action was taken by the presidentsof the Cam­ bridge and Oxford Universities Associations, who called a conference of clubs, which was held at Oxford(it would have been much better had it taken place in London) on Saturday, 24 April, 1880, at which the A.A.A. was born, and several regulations drawn up, nearly all of which now form part of the constitution. Thus, with a general A.A.A., a Northern and a Midland Counties A.A.A, complete supervision and control was and still is exercised over athletics. Shortly afterwards the Earl of Jersey waselected President; C. N. Jackson, hon. treasurer—posts they still fill; and Monty Shearman, a rising barrister, ashon. sec., which office he ably discharged for two or three years, getting through an immense amount ofhard work for the good of the sport in that time. He wassucceeded by the present most able official, C. Herbert, of the Civil Service, who during his many years of duty has proved the right man in the right place. Having traced amateur sport from its conception to its consummation, there is little more to add. Evety one