Success in Athletics and how to obtain it

CHAPTER XX THE CHOICE OF CLOTHING, EQUIPMENT, AND IMPEDIMENTA THE clothing of the athlete is light, one might even say scanty, and needs very little description m a general way. The wardrobe comprises: Vest, shorts, slips, sweater, shoes, and blanket-coat or dressing-gown. 1. The Vest should be thin and light, with short sleeves reaching about half-way down the upper arm; the type known as the "gym-vest" is the best, and costs about 2s. 6d. 2. The Shorts may vary a little with the class of athlete. For hammer and discus-throwers and shot– putters the shorts may-if so desired-be of fairly . stout material, reaching down almost to the knees, and the same kind of shorts will do for cross-country runners. For all other runners, long-jumpers, and javelin-throwers the shorts should be light, really short, and fairly baggy in order to give free play to the limbs. It is necessary that the shorts of the high and pole– jumper should be very curtailed indeed, and that they should be as tight across the seat and round the thighs as is compatible with freedom of move– ment. The reason for this is, of course, that the least touch may remove the bar, and therefore it does not 202