Why? The Science of Athletics

CHAPTER XXII THE BUILD ' OF THE ATHLETE General Considerations-The Greek Ideal-Age ofStrength– The Modern Athlete-McKenzie's Sculptures of Youth– Athletic Types-Runners, Quarter Milers, Half Milers, Milers, Long Distance Runners and Marathon Men, Hurdlers, Field Events Men-Racial Advantages-World's R anking List 1935-Problem of the Negro Athlete-Negroes Strong in Momentum Events-The Negro Limit-Theories Regarding Negro Achievement-Negro Anatomy and Running. General Con- IN ·considering the build of the athlete, it siderations will not be enough .to limit our observations to the present-day prototype. So much in this respect must turn upon the question of heredity. Not unnaturally, one's thoughts turn to the great age of athletic excellence which was represented in the heyday of the ancient Olympic Games. It is admitted that we are now living in the midst of an athletic renaissance, the like of which has not before been seen. It is agreed that at the highest period of Greek culture, competitors were drawn to the Olympic Games only from the cities, islands and colonies of the eastern end of the Mediterranean ; whereas to-day men and women of all colours, kinds and conditions assemble for the Games from the five Continents and the Islands of the Seven Seas. We do not know what feats were performed at the ancient Games, and so cannot assess the merit of the ancient contenders for the Olympic crowns of wild olive. Art, however, has always been inseparable from the practice of athletics, and since the Greek sculptors drew their inspiration from the men they watched in training 364