"WHAT'S WORTH DOING '

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14406, 13 July 1912, Page 10

"WHAT'S WORTH DOING '

The report that English athletes aro showing slackness at Stockholm and the "Pall Mall Gazette's" comments on the American methods, remind us of one of Dv Maurior's satires in "Punch." "That is a very beautiful song," says a German professor of music to an English lady at the piano,' "but why do "you play it in B natural?" "Tho " song is written in B natural, Herr " Maestro." "Then why do you sing it "in B flat?" "Oh, I don't pretend "to be a professional, you know," ie tho lady's explanation. The trouble with English athlotes at Olympic Games is that they "do not pretend to "bo professionals." It is true that there is something to bo said for tho English point of view that amateur athletics and games should not Ixs made into a business and a burden. This attitude has been frankly stated to explain the defeat of English footballers in New Zealand. Our visitors regarded tho careful preparations made by New Zealand players as converting what should bo a pastime into a task. That England beats New Zealand or New Zealand beats England is really no guide to tho physical fitness of the two peoples. It is much better for a nation that there should be a great many mon who can run a mile in six minutes than that there should be half a dozen men who can cover the distance in something under four and a half minutes. There is no need to get violently excited—as somo of tho English journals arc sure to tho defeats at Stockholm. Snch defeats throw no light on the physical condition of tho race. England might win evory athletic event on the programme and yet bo inferior, in tho average physique of its people, to a nation such as Germany. But against this English attitude towards athletics there must be set, particularly on an occasion like this, tho old saying that whaJt is worth doing is worth doing well. It is not of vast importance whether a man takea pains to get himself fit and improve his if he plays crickot on Saturday afternoons, or even if ho takes part in a local championship meeting. But it is a different matter when he represents his country, as he docs at tho Olympic Games, against tho world.. Pride of race should make him tako tho utmost troublo to win. If ho 13 not prepared to make sacrifices in order to do credit to his country, he ought to stay at home. Dillctantism in athletics has no place in the Stadium. This lack of thoroughness has often been a handicap to English athletes in international contests, but it was thought that this year there would be no complaints on that score. If it is true that England has not yet learned the value of s3 - stem and minute care in achieving . victory in these contests, people will begin to think that she never will.