Snell’s Great Week

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29739, 5 February 1962, Page 12

Snell’s Great Week

Whether or not further records and honours fall to P. G. Snell, as experts confidently predict, he has made nis place in athletic history secure by his achievements in a sing!? week. He will be remembered as men remember Nurmi and Zatopek. His triumph at Lancaster Park on Saturday, when he easily broke the world records for both the half-mile and 800 metres, set the seal on his surprising success, as an “ unknown ”, in winning his gold medal at the Rome Olympic Games No-one can doubt now that he is truly champion of the world at the distance

Snell will be remembered, too with that other great athlete, M. G. Halberg, as one of the leaders of a grtup of runners who have given their small country an astonishing reputation over all distances from half a mile to the marathon. Snell’s pride in his accomplishment must be shared by his coach, Mr A. L. Lydiard, whose faith and encouragement have, perhaps, been as valuable as his advice. Canterbury had a rare privilege on Saturday, not merely in seeing history made but also in seeing Snell and Halberg at the height of their prowess.