The Athletes and Athletic Sports of Scotland

HOP, STEP, AND LEAP. 87 and leap, is as absurd andunfair as it would be to offer prizes for putting the ball with 7 ft. 6 in. of run, andat the same time allow any one who likedto take an unlimitedrun. The defence of those who defend the two hops is that it is the sameto all, that those who are accustomed to hop, step,and leap cantake two hops if they like. Only those ignorant of athletics could make that defence in sincerity. One used to hop, step, and leap would require weeks of practice to take the two hops with advantage, and some cannever dothem, alwaysbreaking down at the second hop. Sam Muir used to say if he could take the two hops he could clear 50 feet. The real reason why two hops came into use was that it was found that it was an advantage, and when hop, step, and leap is advertised in a programme, and two hops are allowed, as is often done, the judges who allow the twohops to be used by those of the com­ petitors who can do them, simply allow those who have practised hop, step, and leap to be cheated out of their prize money. If hop, step, and leap is to continue part of the pro­ gramme at Scottish gatherings well and good,but let it be hop, step, and leap, as there isno more reason for having two hops and leap than for having twenty hops and leap. As already stated, hop, step, and leap owes its introduction as a separate ieat to its being made upof three distinctforms of leaping, and tocontinue to allow two hops and leap is merely to perpetuate an unfair device. "When the ground is about level the best performances have been from 45 to 48 ft. with hop, step,and leap, and from 47 ft. to 50 ft. with two hops and leap. S. Muir was the best man of his time at hop, step and leap; at the present time A, Bower, Oldmeldrum, in Scotland. With two hops, Leyden, Roxburgh; Young, Hawick; Knox, Newstead; R. Hogg, Hawick; C. Fenwick, Alva; and W. Young, Alva; have all made first class performances. Best record for hop, step, and leap, Thomas Burrows, Farnworth, 48 ft. 8 in. at first try, Worcester, Mass. U.S. 1884; two hops and leap, D. Shanahan, 50 ft. 1^ in.Limerick, 1888.