Modern Athletics 1868

CHAPTER III. ON THE MANAGEMENT OF ATHLETIC MEETINGS. THErapidity witli whicli athletic meetingsare being niul- tiplied wherever theEnglish tongue is spoken, callsfor a few directions regarding the proper management 01snch sports. To those who have never yet initiated events of the kind, I trust mryemarks may proveuseful; while to many societies who, so to speak, make athletics then business, some new arrangement worthy of adoption may perhaps be suggested. , . „, j. • it. It must be bornein mind that thechief element in tne success of metropolitan athletic meetings is due to the example setby theWest LondonRowing Club. They have consistently thrown open to public competition their most valuable prizes, and have also, by a series of admirable handicaps, shown the feasibility oefxtending to all comers an equal chance in" open events." The success, indeed, of this, the London, the Amateur, and the University Athletic Clubs, has indeed given a certain tone to athletic sports which was longwanted. Corn'tnittee,or Stewards. —The first proceeding should be to procure the names ofthose who have an aptitude loi carrying arrangementsto a satisfactory issue. Ihose who may be elected stewards for the meeting should guarantee its expenses, and endeavour to supplement its funds by obtaining offers of prizes from their friends, or at least some assistance in this direction. The events shouLdthen be fixed on as the resources will allow; the chief race, being thrown open to all properly qualified amateurs, should of course possess as its award the best prizethat circumstances will permit. These preliminary steps having been taken, the followinghints may suffice. Secretary and Entries—The firstnamedshould receive the names and entrance fees othf ose whomay be desirous of competing, and becareful to forwardthem full paiticu-