CRAZY ENDURANCE CONTESTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17246, 12 January 1924, Page 26

CRAZY ENDURANCE CONTESTS.

SPOILING OUR SPORT. Every now and again we are treated to an epidemic of what are best termed crazy endurance contests (writes “ An Athletic Trainer ” in a London paper). Such events as pram races, six day cycling races, and many of the socalled Marathons which are organised from time to time are far removed from the real spirit of sportsmanship, and often do untold harm to their participants. It is not my desire to decry the plucky efforts of the two M.P.’s whoso recent walk with full pack is still fresh m our minds, although as events proved it would have been far better if such a gruelling test had been undertaken by men of much younger years. Few of those people who were at the Stadium at the time when I>orando made his world-famous attempt to win the 3larathon will forget what a pathetic figure this heroic competitor presented. Although only a few yards from the actual winning post. Dorando took nearly ten minutes to struggle and stagger the remaining distance which would complete his triumph. Thousands of people watched his pained, agonised face, expecting a tragedy to occur at every second. and then came the terrible sequel. Within a foot or so of actual victory he collapsed—eager friends went to his assistance. and Dorando lost the race! I mention this incident to show what a devastating effect Marathon running must have on athletes not fully trained. or who are not physically fit for the ordeal. Dorando, it must be remembered, was a picked man, selected to represent his country! Over-strain due to unwise sport is far more prevalent than many keen j athletes are aware, and there are many ■ promising young champions at the | present moment who are under doctors’ ; orders instead of winning fresh tri- j umphs on the fieldSome years ago I knew a college athlete who, against the advice of his trainer, was persuaded to enter for a long distance cycling race. Although he was a wonder over j short distances his physique was all j against anything in the nature of en- ' durance tests. He won his race, but at the cost of his heart, and is now a broken invalid to whom the slightest exertion is likely to prove fatal. Competitors are apt to forget that their body gets fatigued and worn out long before the spirit is beaten. Tfie will to win carries a man forward to that thin line of tape, and his desire to triumph overcomes physical exhaustion. It is not till the race is over that a competitor realises that he has taken far more out of himself than he should have done. There is another side to the question which is constantly overlooked. Athletes who are continually taking part in endurance contests develop more muscle and lung power than they can use in civil life, and this abnormal development becomes an immediate danger the moment they settle down. I am not, of course. Tunning down all sporting contests; far from it. I refer only to the kind which make too great a tax upon the human system, and result in leaving the unfortunate contestants physical wrecks. The fundamental reason for athletics is to improve the body, but I am sure that many people do not realise this fact sufficient!v. Personallv I should like to see all running aiid rowing i over four miles eliminated altogether, and even this distance requires that every competitor should have a thorough and careful training by an expert before to take part.