U.S. Athletes Not To Tour N.Z.

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30619, 9 December 1964, Page 23

U.S. Athletes Not To Tour N.Z.

In spite of the eleventh hour withdrawal of two of the American athletes, the Olympic 10,000 metres gold medalist, W. Mills, and the sprinter-hurdler, B. Lindgren, there is no prospect of the Christchurch Agfa international meeting, to be held at Lancaster Park on December 19, being cancelled.

Interest will merely switch from the three miles to the 880 yards event between New Zealand's Olympic 1500 metres bronze medallist, J. L. Davies (Waikato), and the American 800 metres champion, T. Farrell, whose appearance has been confirmed by the Amateur Athletic Union of America. But even without Mills, the three-miles event will still be a great feature. M. G. Halberg (Auckland) will clash with Canterbury’s brilliant young middle distance runner, A. G. Pyne, along with a number of other very prominent competitors. This alone would prove a welcome comparison after Pyne's failure to gain selection for the Olympic team. And there is still a great chance that the world 10,000 metres record-holder. R. Clarke (Australia), will be able to compete. The president of the Canter-

bury Athletic Centre (Mr W. A. Kennedy) said yesterday that the calibre of the athletes competing at the Christchurch sponsored meeting ensured its success. The Auckland all-rounder, D. Norris, who currently holds the national long jump and triple jump titles, will definitely be appearing and it is hoped to match Mrs M. Sampson (Auckland) against Mrs M. A. Stephen (nee Chamberlain) over 880 yards. Invitations have also been extended to the promising Wellington distance runner. P. Kummer, the New Zealand 220 and 440 yards hurdles champion, R. Johnson, and the Dunedin sprinter, C. Maguire. Canterbury's two great sprint rivals, D. W. Mackenzie and A. G. Steel, should also prove a great attraction as they are building up to a peak specifically for this meeting.