Olympiad

"Crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch!" Outside the walls of Paris, the red scoria cinders of the running-track, in Colombes Stadium, ground out a rhythmic accompaniment to the gay, brassy blaring of four military bands, as some 2,000 feet, native to the soil of 45 nations, circumambulated the arena in unison. Ahead of all other feet, moved two belonging to Gaston Doumergue, President of the French Republic. He was parading to "open"* the eighth Olympic Games. "Flags and fair ladies waved. Cheer upon cheer rang out."

Close behind M. Doumergue's, moved two other pairs of distinguished pedal extremities, conveying, respectively, the stoop-shouldered little figure of Edward, Prince of Wales, and the swaying rotund bulk of Ahmed Mirza, recently deposed Shah of Persia. Came other European princes, potentates, diplomats. Came scores of officials, bedight with badges.

Came the clean-limbed hosts, stripped for battle.

Seventeenth among the nations (alphabetically), marched the finest athletes of the U. S., 300 strong. Up in the line somewhere strode their most-feared rivals, 60 hardy Finns, among whom the greatest names were Paavo Nurmi (distance runner entered in six races), Willie Ritola (present U. S. distance champion, bearing Finland's colors because of an Olympic ruling), Hannes Kolehmainen (long time a Marathon marvel), Porhola and Torpo (weights).

The parade completed, President Doumergue sounded forth to the assembled multitude of 25,000 this version of an ancient formula: "I proclaim the opening of the Olympic Games of Paris, celebrating the eighth Olympics of the modern era!" Instantly trumpets trumpeted, cannon thundered, a cloud of carrier pigeons wheeled aloft to wing far beyond France's borders with the news.

Next, Georges Andre, veteran hurdler, made his way to the President's box, lifted up his right hand, led the hosts in a chant of national allegiance and chivalry.

A pistol cracked. Fleet forms sped down the cinder lanes. The Games were on.

The first two events completed were the 10,000-metre run and the javelin-throw. Rushing over a muddy track, Willie Ritola took the former for Finland so fast (30 min. 23 sec.) that he smashed his own world's record. Wide, of Sweden, his arms high, wild, awkward, was 200 yds. behind. Jonnie Myyra of Finland hurled his javelin 207 ft., leaving Swedish hurlers second and sixth, Americans third and fifth.

The nimble white figure that the 100-metre finalists chased to the tape, was Abrahams of England.

To win America's first event, the 400-metre low hurdles, George Taylor of Grmnell College, la., was obliged to create a new world's record of 52 3/5 seconds. George Andre, French oath-swearer, was fourth.

A leap of 6 ft. 6 in. landed Harold Osborne, Illinois A. C, in top place of the running high jump.

Robert Legendre, Newark A. C, projected himself across 25 ft. 6 in. of ground, a world's record broad jump.

* The Eighth Olympiad actually started in January with Winter Sports, at Chamonix, French Alps, as Division I of the events. Of the 21 divisions, 5 had been completed as follows before President Doumergue enunciated a belated "En avant!

I. Winter Sports, Feb. 5, won by Norway; U. S., 3 points.

II. Rugby Football, May 19, won by U. S.; 10 points.

III. Soccer Football, June 9, won by Uraguay; U. S., 0 points.

IV. Target Shooting, June 28, won by U. S., 15 points.

V. Polo, July 6, won by Argentina; U. S., 3 points.

The scoring of "events" within."Divisions" is done on the American system; i.e., 5 points for first place, 3 for second, 2 for third. 1 for fourth.

Totals on June 28: America 28; France 20; Switzerland 13 1/2; Norway 10: Uraguay 10; Finland 9.