Why? The Science of Athletics

THE BUILD OF THE ATHLETE 377 majority of the world's great I 20 yards hurdlers have _been over 6 ft. in height, but not in the sprinting class that can show "even-time" for a hundred yards. The build of the exponents of the various Field Events field events has been discussed sufficiently Men in this volume, perhaps, since so much of the mechanics of the efficiency of this type of athlete is inseparable from his physical make-up. · Apart from that, field events physique is in some respects inseparable from considerations of racial char– acteristics and the colour question, which we are about to discuss. Racial Advantages One cannot altogether ignore America in the consideration of racial advantages, although the claims of a conglomerate nation recruited from so many nationalities makes it exceptionally difficult to assess racial charac– teristics in relation to athletics. One thing, however, is certain, the American by birth, but not by naturalization, has a distinct urge for speed, and any American coach will substantiate the statement that more than 8o per cent of the boys reporting for the track and field squad each season wish to be trained as sprinters. Those of them who do not make good at dis– tances up to and including 440 yards often take to hurdling, and that, in part, explains why America is always able to produce such a wealth of sprinters and hurdlers. The British, being of a-more phlegmatic temperament, have hitherto preferred the middle distance races, and, with a solid foundation of cross-country running and schoolboy paper cliases to build upon, have enjoyed phenomenal success. This is attested by the Olympic results. Nine celebrations of the Games have taken place, and British runners have won the 8oo metres six times, making one world's and three Olympic records, and the I 500 metres four times. It is, however, significant that Finland has won two out of the last three I 500 metres titles, and the 5,ooo J I t I '