Ask for an English speech on American history

Sports activities in the modern world are concentrated in three capitals: Berlin, Stockholm and London. From there came three systems, all of which were based on the popular ideas of ancient society and influenced by being far away from other regions. These ancient ideas were consciously or unconsciously inherited by people in the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

It can be summed up in three words: war, health and sports. Next, please allow me to briefly describe their characteristics, introduce their development in modern times, and finally describe France's participation in this important movement. For this sport, people rightly call it: the revival of sports.

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The century in which we live began tragically, ended in today's turbulent peace, and continued a century in which intellectual activities were extremely rich and physical exercise was really poor. It may be necessary to find the source of those imbalances from this huge contrast, but this is not our task. We just noticed that at the end of 18, strenuous sports and men's competitive activities were no longer carried out everywhere, and people went elsewhere to find recreation and happiness. From this perspective, the situation in Britain is particularly surprising. People no longer enjoy outdoor activities as fully as they did in Tudor dynasty (note 1), and they are no longer intoxicated with nature. At that time, Thomas? Arnold and other founders of track and field education have not yet appeared. If Napoleon hadn't consolidated Great Britain like the north wind stopped the melting of ice and snow, the national characteristics of the British people wouldn't be so distinct. Their natural rudeness and malaise may well be a precursor to decline. In France, tennis courts are neglected, where people exchange vows instead of playing ball. An era is far away: at that time, every Sunday afternoon, Germany? Master Guberville plays ball on the beach in Cotentin (note 4), surrounded by a group of strong young men from surrounding villages; In one rural parish after another, people are keen on traditional gladiatorial and wrestling activities. Simon? These scenes are all described in the sheepskin manuscript that Mr. Ruche consulted. At that time, the priests in Avelan would happily flock to the beach to play hockey every year during religious festivals. All this disappeared during the supervision. Once upon a time, with nostalgia for ancient Greece, the governor hoped to organize some activities in Paris' Ares Square to remind people of the ancient Olympic Games, but it lacked a necessary factor: contestants. People always come to the competition site like children, to the busy big market, scrambling to climb colorful poles with prizes, in order to win traditional leg of lamb or sweet soju. But these activities are not enough to form a sports meeting, lacking a sports club and a stade de france to organize and support. The game organized by the governor was actually a flash in the pan, which lasted all morning.

In fact, at the same time, at our border, even beyond, at the foot of the pyramids, on the banks of the Danube, in Spain, and under the walls of the Moscow Kremlin, French soldiers experienced 20 years of brave and tragic war epic, showing the world the most outstanding power that has never been seen before. In this short time, they exhausted the strength accumulated by the whole nation for centuries. Soldiers are bleeding. Are those tennis players and Germany? Lord Guberville's blood is by no means the blood of cowards, nor the blood of those bohemians during the Regency period. It is the blood of France, dirty in the city and still pure in the country.

And, gentlemen, you know what our soldiers are like. When they use up their last strength, they will even give birth to new strength!

Ah! After this long and heroic battle, how much France needs to recuperate, God! How do we understand why people play dominoes instead of exercising tired muscles? This is how France was immersed in victory and fell into a deep sleep. However, around her, a gloomy, thorough and terrible failure awakened the energy of some people, who worked hard for the goal you know-the German Empire. Thus, military track and field sports came into being in Berlin.

In our country, it is often said that the real winner of the battle between 1866 (Note 8) and 1870 (Note 9) is the primary school teacher. If it is because of this belief, primary schools and public education have developed rapidly all over China, and we are grateful for this belief. However, I think people pay too much attention to the primary school teacher, and some forget his colleague: the PE teacher.

Gentlemen, shortly after the Battle of Jena (note 10), many German gymnastics fanatics appeared, and their passion spread their functions. Subsequently, more and more believers followed the precepts of German gymnastics and pursued vigorous movements in practice. In a word, its essence is military. In Germany, until yesterday, it was still everywhere: hierarchy, obedience and accuracy. Pupils must know their position in the queue from an early age, put their eyes around a superior and wait to accept his orders. In middle school students, they continue to keep their muscles flexible and obedient, so as to listen to the call at any time. Because this is the purpose of German gymnastics, it is easy to see what qualities and defects such an idea brings. When they went to college, the greatest pleasure of German youth was fighting with their classmates, and facial knife marks became a sign of pride. The smallest details in life are also highly consistent, and this strict rule seems to bring an inner joy that neither the British nor the French can understand. To this day, as long as you go through a German university and attend a gathering of German college students, you can see that everyone will drink all the wine in the cup at once. From this, we can understand the influence of fanaticism on discipline on this great nation. In this century, the whole country of Germany is permeated with militarism, and some socialists have also brought a little militarism into the formation of revolutionary political parties.

As I said just now, German gymnastics pursues vigorous movements and stresses strength and energy. Only in this case is it effective. However, in order to maintain this energy, gymnasts must always be under the influence of belligerence. The idea of war must always inspire them. Once Germany gets rid of this idea, countless gymnastics groups will change rapidly. In fact, real sports have appeared in some parts of German territory, which is the result of peace at home and abroad in the past 20 years. Young athletes began to consider efforts to enhance their physical fitness, and no longer worried about those distant or close goals. If he wants to hurdle, he will make himself as light as possible and jump as high as possible. But on the battlefield, you can't be naked in your legs and arms, and you can't just wear a sexy underwear. At this time, gymnasts are less concerned about how to complete a track and field feat, and more concerned about how to cross obstacles with weapons and backpacks. Similarly, when they are no longer inspired by future military service, their overall movements will be slow, their skills will be weak, and they will almost act rashly and lack soul. Similarly, the group run disintegrated and the runners regained their personality. They no longer care about whether the pace is neat and consistent, but who runs faster and reaches the finish line first.

From the point of view of physical exercise, German gymnastics is artificial; What it practices has no reason to exist, which is extremely unnatural. Only by promising people some great and lofty goals will people be interested and accept these trainings. Gentlemen, this is its success; But tomorrow, this will probably lead to its decline.

But German gymnastics has many followers, and many groups have been established, including the United States and Australia, not to mention France, which we will mention next. British people like to take tennis rackets and bibles when traveling around the world. They never leave home. Germans like to bring sauerkraut and gymnastics when they immigrate. As we all know, there are a large number of German immigrants in the United States, and some recent events are enough to attract attention. If I were an American citizen, I would think it was a threat to the country. However, Germans in America worship Germans in Europe very much. Living and working in the free land of the United States, separated from their ancient motherland by the ocean, they kept singing their unbearable shackles, proudly chanting the name of the emperor, and dreaming of Germanizing a large part of the New World through language and customs. They lived there, but never thought of returning to their motherland. They also set up many gymnastics groups for children, imitating the practices of the ancient motherland, and set up another set of arrangements called "fitness education" in the chaotic system there.

You may tell me that this kind of gymnastics lacks the necessary conditions that I just pointed out to make it successful: military purpose and battlefield prospect. Gentlemen, please don't think so. You are used to seeing only businessmen, entrepreneurs and businessmen among the 69 million residents, but you are still a thinking America, a scientific America and a military America. Although the traces of the civil war have disappeared materially, the mental trauma is still clearly visible, and the psychological shock brought by this war has continued to this day. I want to declare that the patriotism of American citizens is one of the strongest and most amazing I know, and I can look forward to everything.

However, the United States Military Academy at West Point has always followed the French military tradition and trained a group of elite troops, who are officers of the federal army. Now every state has its own militia forces, and it would be a big mistake to regard these forces as worthless national self-defense forces. I don't have the time and ability to study its operation in detail, but I can draw your attention to three facts: the number of people who joined the army, the perfect weapons and equipment, and the excellent mobilization ability just shown in Pennsylvania (note 1 1). Of course, the timing of mobilization is not favorable, nor is it prepared in advance. Not to fight against foreign enemies, but to maintain order in a bloody blow. Within 24 hours, these businessmen and businessmen put down everything in their hands, and by 25 hours, they had all appeared at the designated place with weapons. Most of these militia units are led and organized according to the German way. They show a strange mixture: both British voluntary civic morality and German soldiers' strict discipline. Americans are rebuilding their fighting navy, and once this task is completed, their courage will soon be transformed into the spirit of conquest. I believe that the future Washington government will be a fire-prone government (note 12). Due to the above reasons, military gymnastics, which weakened and disappeared on the banks of Spree (note 13), will find its authority and followers again on the banks of Mississippi (note 14). In short, there are opportunities, and they are likely to reappear when great ideals need to be realized, when revenge is needed, or when slavery needs to be abolished.

In Australia, the number of German immigrants is so small that it can hardly be ignored. But there are also several groups. Although the militarism of these groups is not as common and aggressive as that of the United States, it has not attracted public attention. The riots in some Australian capitals, the incidents in Samoa (note 15) and New hebrides (note 16), the strong desire of public opinion to occupy New Caledonia as soon as possible (note 17), and the dispatch of militia troops from New South Wales (note 18) to support Sudan need to be mentioned.

I seem to have given up sports and studied diplomatic issues instead. In fact, I am only emphasizing this important social law, that is, a nation's spirit, ambition and customs directly affect its understanding and organization of sports, and there is a close relationship between them.

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Gentlemen, this is the actual situation in Germany and Sweden. Turning from German gymnastics to Swedish gymnastics is like listening to an idyllic symphony after listening to a heroic symphony. Sweden is a happy country with a short history. In the past hundred years, it has devoted itself to the peaceful development of a skating activity that is beneficial to the whole people's body and mind, a unique gymnastics that looks very gentle. People named it Ringer Gymnastics after its inventor.

I quickly said that between Ringo's gymnastics and skating, skating is a sign to identify Swedes; Their healthy body, this wonderful physical and mental balance, this peaceful mentality and this even breathing have brought them vitality. They think we should thank this talented skater. I don't hesitate to attribute it to the rapid skating on the flat ice in the north, to the cold air and to the health and happiness of Scandinavia in winter.

This is not to say that Swedish gymnastics is worthless. Some places in Germany, London and new york have also shyly introduced Swedish gymnastics. A friend of ours, I can say an outstanding friend of ours, Dr. Lagrange, a consultant of our alliance, once went to the scene to study Swedish gymnastics, and readers of two world magazines had his impression on Stockholm College. He wrote: "Swedish gymnastics is the gymnastics of the weak." Indeed, this is also the reason why we are unwilling to accept this kind of gymnastics. Swedish gymnastics is slow and suitable for the elderly and delicate children. Because of its scientific function, it is also suitable for patients. Mr. Lagrange is mainly interested in and fascinated by its medical aspects. He wrote that when French doctors went to Stockholm to study, they were faced with such novel things, and the body movements he saw in some public or private "colleges" were so diverse that he was confused at first. Gradually, a clear train of thought appeared in his mind: summarizing and classifying the processes of these dexterous movements, and realizing that their essence can be summarized into two results: quantitative movement and positioning movement. This brings a bold idea to people, and the foundation of this medical gymnastics is based on the unique and in-depth study of the muscle system. I mean, medical functions are realized through exercise and some related massages, and even some heart diseases can get excellent curative effects. For more than half a century, Swedes have been going to these colleges to find a healthy way, and only the curative effect deserves people's attention to Swedish gymnastics. However, enthusiasts of physical exercise are usually not patients. We mainly deal with healthy people. Swedish gymnastics pays attention to children, especially when they are worried about physical problems; It is also suitable for patients, and it is good to provide sports suitable for the elderly. However, there is no power in the world of young people. What young people need is exactly what they gave up: strength and competition. In Swedish gymnastics, strength is obtained through the range of movements rather than strength. People feel it slowly and never get impatient. As for competition, one of the tenets of Swedish gymnastics is that people can't compete with each other, and people can only compete with themselves.

If we young athletes are asked to give up their efforts and competitions, we must first draw blood from their veins: as long as there is a drop of blood, they will not give up. This is my answer. In fact, if you give them the same warning, it is mocking them. This is easily reminiscent of Sham's cartoon: a mother puts her little girl in dolores Park and tells her, "Have fun, my child, but you must not catch cold or get hot, don't wrinkle your skirt, don't get your boots dirty, don't mess up your hair and don't loosen your bow tie."

In Sweden, there are also a group of reformers who are committed to the "masculinity" of Swedish gymnastics, if I may say so. People look at them with anger and curiosity. Innovators always attract people's attention everywhere and get the upper hand in a few days. Once the goal of Swedish gymnastics is not only to face the sick and weak, I don't see anyone who can stop it from spreading all over the world, and I personally don't object to helping it spread all over the world.

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Gentlemen, we have seen at the beginning of this meeting that some people think that the British people are deeply rooted in physical exercise, and this hobby has never declined. This is completely wrong. They take it for granted that what they see is always there, and it is illogical to think that there is no sports in Britain. However, this illogicality runs through the end of last century and the beginning of this century. At that time, the decline of folk sports and the emergence of private landlords led to the monopoly of hunting rights and deprived the rural petty bourgeoisie of their favorite activities. Although some boxers can still be seen fighting everywhere or holding boat races on the Thames, it is a bet between professionals to make the audience pay more money. This is not sports, nor is it competition. At that time, there were only two pastimes in Britain: doing business honestly or dishonestly, and drinking and having fun half-drunk or drunk. Middle school is the epitome of society. Without the spirit of unity, teachers are insensitive, and students are the king of strength. Of course, people can't expect that with such a vulgar and imperfect school mechanism, educators can cultivate such exquisiteness and elegance with their own talents. Therefore, what I want to say here is exactly the opposite of this prejudice prevailing in France. In the world, nothing makes young people feel more refined, elegant and gentle than the current education system in Britain, and some superficial phenomena are misleading.

Gentlemen, British track and field started only yesterday, and today it has become popular all over the world. No one has written the history of this great movement, but people are very clear about its main context. The story of Reverend Kingsley and his disciples is not far away, and their names have not been forgotten: 60 years is enough to complete this incredible transformation. The original sponsors only wanted to bring themselves health and happiness, and did not care about establishing portal schools. However, they are far-sighted, and the light of philosophy surrounds them: the memory of Greece, the respect for the Stoic tradition, and the clear idea that track and field sports can bring benefits to modern mankind quickly caught their attention. People laughed at them, but these laughs didn't discourage them at all. When the movement developed to a considerable scale, they were attacked crazily and violently. However, their cause has won the support of young people. Oxford University and Cambridge University began to cooperate with them because they found the source of great rejuvenation and the much-needed purification power. Meanwhile, Thomas. Arnold, a great citizen, a leader and model of British education, listed detailed rules for the role of track and field in education. The cause was quickly recognized and succeeded. In Britain, sports venues have appeared everywhere. The number of various sports groups has increased so much that you can't guess their number. There are many in London, not in the aristocratic areas, but in the slums and civilian areas. Every village has one or two groups. Although British laws do nothing in children's fitness education, activities initiated by the people make up for this. Then, the descendants of the British left their homeland with their valuable experience, and track and field sports flourished in various climates in both hemispheres.

In America, exactly, after the romantic crisis, we want to know what it has developed into. 1889, a series of meetings were held to commemorate the anniversary of the French Revolution 100. Taking advantage of one of the meetings, we distributed more than 7,000 questionnaires about sports, its influence on education and its development to all British colonies and English-speaking countries. This development has never stopped. All the answers to the questionnaire unanimously prove to us that the emerging track and field sports have reached a huge scale. 50 years' experience only generally confirms the correctness of Arnold and Kingsley's theory. Take the United States, a country that values numbers, for example. Dr Sargent (an authority in this field) estimates that the investment in building stadiums, gymnasiums or manufacturing sports equipment will increase from $65,438+0,860 to $65,438+0,870, and from $65,438+0,870 to $2.5 billion.

In Australia, Cape Town, Jamaica, Hong Kong and India, the yearbooks of some clubs and the rules of track and field sports show that a sports craze is on the rise. I estimate that although the statistics I got are very incomplete, I still have to explain that there are about 6 million people involved, and this only counts adult activists registered in formal organizations. I haven't counted Belgium and the Netherlands, where sports attract many people to participate every day, nor have I counted those countries where sports fans exist in isolation.

A professional periodical that cares about and helps the sports world was born, and numerous newspapers and periodicals came into being. A baseball game in Chicago, or a boat race on the Parramatta River (Note 22), can win or lose all over the world, occupying an important page of the times. Forty years ago, The Times reported the first match between Oxford and Cambridge in a small corner. On the days of some major events, business stopped and the office was empty. People stopped their work like the ancient Greeks and cheered for the young people who ran by.

Gentlemen, young people are running past us. Their advantage is that they only seek strength from their own strength, consciously abide by various rules and voluntarily accept a set of disciplines. Because it is voluntary, the efficiency is doubled. People think that war is noble and magnificent, but it is even more valuable to think about medical care. However, the most perfect human nature is to strive to follow fairness, love hard work and dare to challenge difficulties, that's all.

The above is the philosophy of sports in general, especially the philosophy of our league.

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Gentlemen, 1886 French sports participation is not as bad as some people think. I don't mention the honest and kind Colonel Amoros. Of course, he has a firm belief, but he also compiled a pamphlet of religious and moral carols and stamped his feet to beat the time while singing with his disciples. All these can make the Salvation Army and gymnasts regard him as a pioneer.

By the way, pay tribute to some gymnastics groups. Although failure is inevitable ... it is a springboard to victory, and we hope so. Although sometimes people mistakenly accuse them of playing some children's tricks in primary schools, these groups have made great and noble contributions, inspiring their unique feelings of training to make all French people respect them. The achievements of mountaineering club also need to be mentioned. They told so many of our compatriots that people can breathe unused air on the peaks of our border and accumulate the strength of physical and mental health. Finally, fencing How could you forget? Isn't this a national movement? Only Italians can compete with us for the highest honor in this field. This sport allows us to enjoy the joy of fighting in a down-to-earth way. Isn't this the greatest happiness after the happiness of survival?

However, until 1886, there was a lack of a physical education structure. I wonder if many planners are aware of this problem. As far as I know, no one has put forward the exact structural scheme yet. 1887 On August 23rd, the French newspaper finally announced a plan. Although I don't want to talk about individuals in this meeting, I still want to emphasize this date with a sense of fairness. During this period, the French Academy of Medical Sciences stood up and resolutely opposed the excessive use of the brain. The author of this scheme seems to be looking for a way out on the wall. The French Academy of Medical Sciences insists on revising the school curriculum in order to reduce mental work and make time for exercise. Their reason is that students have no time to exercise. Totally wrong. There is time and plenty. No need to give more time, just make arrangements. As for public opinion, it is lost in another direction. Someone said to the university: Why don't you go there to exercise? Go ahead, do some activities. Exercise is easier said than done. In fact, the motivation should come from the outside world, from the enthusiasm of the people, and there should be a group as a support point to build a bridge between the two sides. Sorbonne University is a supporting point, and sports clubs and French stadiums can be another supporting point. These two groups, one is established in 1882 and the other in 1883. For a time, neither side knew the existence of the other. There is another virtue? Mr. St. Clare, he has contributed more to track and field than anyone else. June 1887 65438+1October18 He promoted the combination of the two groups. Then, a rally was held in the forest of Avery City (Note 25). On this day, it was decided to set up a track and field sports alliance. 165438+1October 29th, the alliance was formally established and its articles of association were recognized by law. In the first few months of 1888, after many meetings and active running, the Sports Promotion Committee was established. Yule? Mr Simon and Mr Gray are the earliest members. Then, on May 3 1 day and July 5, the Committee held a meeting and held an inter-school cross-country obstacle course near Paris. Since then, as we all know, the Sports League and the gironde League have been established one after another. The latter brings together many public high schools in the Bordeaux school district and organizes competitions in all contact points in France. Although sometimes much thunder and little rain, the result is not very good, but in the past five years, this great movement has brought us well-known achievements. Gentlemen, everyone is satisfied with this: your party today speaks for itself.

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The above is the past, so what about the future?

I'm not here to describe the future to you, because the role of prophet is full of danger, and at the same time, because the time is up, I should end tonight and give you a brief introduction to history. The alliance has the obligation to perform its important duties, whether facing universities or members, it will certainly do its duty.

I don't know the fate of world track and field in the future. But I want to draw your attention to the following important facts: in a series of rare changes in the past century, track and field sports have emerged two new characteristics, namely popularization and internationalization. The first feature guarantees its future. Nothing can exist for a long time now except popularization. And the second feature shows us an unexpected prospect. When some people tell you that the war will disappear, you will think that they are utopians, and your view is not completely wrong. However, some people think that the possibility of war is gradually decreasing. I don't think this is a daydream. Obviously, telegrams, railways, telephones, enthusiasm for scientific research, congresses and expositions have contributed more to the cause of peace than all treaties and diplomatic agreements. Therefore, I hope track and field can do more: those who have witnessed 30 thousand people running in the rain to watch a football match will not think that I am talking big. Send paddlers, runners and fencers abroad, and they will all communicate freely in the future. Once this kind of free communication becomes the fashion in ancient Europe, the cause of peace will get brand-new and strong support.

To sum up, it is enough to motivate me to consider the second step of the plan now. I hope you will help me as always. I will work with you to pursue and realize a great and beneficial cause based on modern living conditions: the revival of the Olympic movement.