Mile Heats Should Be Easy Affairs Today

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29992, 29 November 1962, Page 10

Mile Heats Should Be Easy Affairs Today

"The Press" Special Service PERTH, November 28. Peter Snell, the firm favourite for the mile in the Empire Games on Saturday, should have an easy passage in his heat tomorrow. He has been drawn against the barefoot Englishman, Bruce Tulloh, and Albert Thomas, of Australia, both sub-four-minute milers, but all three should not be troubled by the rest of

the field. Snell, after his win in the half-mile, is confident of success in the mile and regards his team-mate, John Davies, of Waikato, as the greatest threat. Davies will meet Stan Taylor, England’s brightest hope for a medal, and the experienced Pat Clohessy, of Australia, in his heat. The Canadian, Bruce Kidd, is in the same heat, but there is a strong possibility that he may not compete again in the Games, according to the Melbourne “Age.” Kidd was reported to have “run like a tired athlete” in the three miles event on Monday in which he came third. The “Age” quoted the Canadian as saying, “I have got what I came for—a gold medal. It would be ridiculous to exhaust myself in a further race.” Unwise To Run “My coach. Fred Foot, has told me he does not think it wise for me to run again at this meeting and. as I can expect a long future, I cannot argue against this,” the runner said. Foot, who is also official track coach for the Canadian team, said: “The six miles really seemed to take a toll of him, and as he has also run a tough three, further racing could harm him.” However, the “Age” report said, a final decision would be delayed until today when Kidd would work out on the Games training track.

The results of the heats should not provide much of an indication as to the minor plaeings on Saturday. Snell, of course, is almost certain

to win, for Davies, Tulloh, Taylor and Thomas do not have the stamina and speed to challenge the world champion. With the gold medal already decided in most people’s minds there is much speculation about the minor plaeings. Camp rumours have helped boost Davies, but he must expect strong opposition from the Englishman and Thomas. Robinson’s Semi-Final Barry Robinson, of Auckland, who was second in his heat of the 440 yards, has drawn the inside lane in the first 440 yards semi-final. He will meet Robbie Brightwell, of England (European and A.A.A. Champion' with a best performance of 45.95ec) and Mai Spence, one of the Jamaican twins, who has clocked 45.75ec. Robinson’s best is 46.8 sec. But he damaged a hamstring muscle on the warm-up track on Monday before going out for his qualifying heat, in which he ran second. In the second heat is George Kerr, of Jamaica, who was narrowly beaten by Snell in the half-mil- Kerr has beaten 46sec for the 400 metres. New Zealand has two weight men competing tomorrow, Les Mills and Robin Tait, who was fourth in the discus. Mills has a personal best of 57ft Him, Tait 51ft Win. Dave Norris, of Auckland, who won a silver medal in the broad jump on Monday, is New Zealand’s sole representative in the hop, step and jump. J. R. Bagueley and 1. R. Tomlinson, both of Australia, are the two Norris will have

to beat, but on form Norris has an excellent chance of a medal. In the 120 yards hurdles New Zealanders Logan Aikrnian and Paul Dallow are expected to do better than they did in the 440 yards hurdles last week when they both tailed off in the century-plus-temperatures.

In the 80 metres women's hurdles. Mrs Avis Mclntosh, of New Zealand, who recently recorded llsec, will meet the world record holder. Mrs Betty Moore, of England. The most gruelling event of the Games, the marathon, will start at 7.40 p.m. New Zealand time. Barry Magee, of New Zealand, who was third in the marathon at Rome, was a pre-race favourite, but the dreadful condition of his feet after the six-mile event is causing serious concern. Bruised Tissues Dr. Jefferson has discovered severe bruising of the tissues under the skin on the ball of one of Magee’s feet—right where the nerve endings are. The marathon field may diminish spectacularly as a result of the forthcoming medical inspection. Many of the marathoners competed in the six miles on the iron-hard stadium track and everyone except the winner, Kidd, finished the race with blistered feet. Kidd ran with his feet taped.

Miss Doreen Porter will contest the final of the women’s 220 yards. Miss Porter, who won a silver medal in the 100 yards on Monday will compete against a world-class field which includes Dorothy Hyman, of England, and the Australians. Betty Cuthbert and Brenda Cox.