rowing Mackenzie Rejected By England For Games

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29866, 5 July 1962, Page 16

rowing Mackenzie Rejected By England For Games

(N Z.P.A .-Reuter— Copi/rtoht)

LONDON. July 3. The Australian sculler. Stuart Mackenzie, has been told he cannot compete for England in the Empire Carnet, on the eve of attempting an unprecedented sixth win in the diamond sculls in the Henley Royal Regatta. According to a report in the "Daily Mail,” Mackenzie said that English rowing selectors had rejected him as a possible competitor for the Perth Games Australian officials earlier this year gave England permission to select Mackenzie for the Games. Mackenzie said that the selectors had told him it would "no’ be good public relations” to send him to Perth to represent England The newspaper reported that he added: "What a ruddy country thfc is. Don’t they want to win a gold medal? Let's be frank. I'm about 10 classes above any English sculler.”

The Australian Is favourite to retain his Henley title In spite of still opposition from Russia, Germany Poland, Switzerland, and Britain. He won his first Diamond sculls in 1967. and has not been beaten in the event since. The grand challenge cup for eights will be contested by the United States. Russia, Italy and Britain. Yale and Penngvlvania. the 1953 winners, are in the same half of the draw as the Italian Moto Guzzi, the European chamDions. The Russian Navy crew with only one change from last year's winning eight, are in the other half In the silver goblets coxed fours are Russia's Olympic champions Golovanov and Borejko. the European silver modal winners Lehtela and Pltkanen (Finland) and Neuss and Jordan, the German champions.