Why? The Science of Athletics

THE BUILD OF THE ATHLETE side by side with the best masterpieces of Greek art. Nor is this all, for about each of Tait McKenzie's sculptures of youth there is a virility, a readiness for action, which places his work, in the opinion of close students of athletic science, upon a higher plane than the Greek statues, which almost invariably show the athlete in a posture of repose. It is, in fact, mainly. in vase paintings tpat the Greek athlete is portrayed in action. Even then, the technique of artists and athletes is not to be compared with that of our present-day products. Further, upon the evidence of the Greek statues and vase paintings, as compared with Tait McKenzie's work and the action shown by photographs and slow-motion films, it would appear that the athletic styles employed by the Greeks were far inferior to modern methods. Compare, for example, Myron's Discobolos with McKen– zie's Modern Discus Thrower. Apart from the fact that the latter has far more life, it would appear that Myron's model intends to throw the missile from a standing posi– tion, whereas McKenzie's thrower is obviously about to commence that whirling, waltz-like turn across the circle which precedes the delivery and is an integral part of the present-day athlete's technique, adding considerable dis– tance to the flight of the discus. Again, is there anything in Greek art comparable for graceful action with Tait McKenzie's Pole-Vaulter (Fig. II6), or his lovely statue of the javelin Cast? (Fig. I23) McKenzie's Sculptures of Youth If it is admitted, as I think it must be, that the McKenzie Sculptures. of Youth depict a type that is at least as fine as, and probably finer than, the time-honoured classical ideals of ancient Greece, we are bound to stand amazed at our modern manhood. Greek knowledge of anatomy may have been almost a negligible quantity, but they comprehended clearly the value of fresh air, personal cleanliness, sun-bathing, sleep, right-living, oil massage and exercise. The status and the stature of the athlete were, moreover, the ideal to be BB