LUXURY LIFE AFTER ALL

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30558, 29 September 1964, Page 19

LUXURY LIFE AFTER ALL

(Special Crspdt. N.Z.P.A.) TOKYO, Sept. 28. “We’re living in luxury here in the Olympic village and I want you to put the Australian people right about that,” the general manager of the Australian team, Mr L. Curnow, said today. He said this when handing out a statement made by the Australian water polo goalie, Michael Withers, after an article yesterday in a Tokyo newspaper. Withers was reported in the newspaper as having criticised sanitary conditions and hot water facilities and having said “It’s dirty. It’s one-tenth of what we had ini

Rome for the 1960 Olympics.” The statement which Mr Curnow handed out today said: “I, Michael Withers, a member of the Australian water polo team, hereby declare that: “A. My reference to the quarters being dirty was made after the typhoon had deposited dust and dirt particles in our quarters during the day of our arrival. Such deposits were completely cleaned by the village staff next day. "B. The reason for there being no hot water in the upstairs bathroom was that the hot water heater was not adjusted correctly and upon request the sectional service department had this quickly rectified. “C. The gentleman to whom I made the alleged statement.)

did state that he was not a sports reporter and the conversation was in no way intended for the press and the alleged statement had been made in a purely casual conversation. The gentleman in question should have inspected the area for himself.” Mr Curnow said that team officials had personally inspected the Australian houses last evening. The team’s medical officer, Dr. H. Toyne, accompanied them. Dr. Toyne said he had no complaints about the quarters. “When premises have been built for some years, as these have, they may have a discoloured appearance, but they are completely hygienic in every way. I am quite satisfied with the conditions in which the Australian team is living,” he said. j