Olympic Cavalcade

IO FOREWORD Possibly a phenomenal athlete will arise one day, a prodigy of his kind, and we may yet see the mile record reduced to under 4 minutes, the 100 yards _to 9 seconds, and the high jump to 7 feet or more, but to achieve success in world contests today, scientific and concentrated training in one specialized event would appear to be absolutely necessary. How few can devote the time, patience and concentration for such a serious business, as indeed it is. The speed of the Japanese swimmers in the 1932 Olympic Games, which I witnessed at Los Angeles, was phenomenal. The progress of their lithe brown bodies through the water reminded me of the sea lions in the London Zoo, but we learnt that these boys were trained trom a very early age specially to swim in the Olympic Games and for nothing else. Lt.-Colonel Webster, the author of so many authoritative books on athletics, is an enthusiast, and to be an enthusiast, and to know your job thoroughly, is to excel in any branch, whether it be the Army, business, literature, politics or music. . · To those interested in field events and the statistics of athletics, this new book on the history of the Olympic Games must appeal to all as of paramount interest and importance. Any reader who can digest the information contained in this all-embrac– ing compendium will close the final pages with a knowledge of athletic history and records which may well be an inspiration to the younger generation of future champions. HAROLD BowDEN. I March, 1948.