The Magic Is Inside

Track and field is man's oldest sport—remember the Discobolus, and Pheidippides bringing the 11 o'clock news from Marathon? Indoor track is some 2,350 years younger than Marathon, dating from 1868, when the New York A.C. put on the first meet under cover. It is a special sport, far more intimate than the outdoor version. The prime reason, as Artist Bob Stanley demonstrates, is the magic sense of nearness, of being close enough to share the athletes' emotions.

No event is more dramatic indoors than the pole vault, whose stars shine like circus heroes.

Women, from intent shotputters to lithe middle-distance runners, often add a special quality to the indoor sport.

A long jumper seems to spring directly toward the onlookers in the indoor arena.