Warning Given By Bannister

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30804, 16 July 1965, Page 13

Warning Given By Bannister

(N .Z .P .A .-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, July 15. The man to run a mile in under four minutes. Dr. Roger Bannister, yesterday warned that athletes would be taking considerable risks when they competed in the Olympic Games in Mexico City. Dr. Bannister was speaking at a press conference in London, at which the British Minister for Sport, Mr Denis Howell, announced that the Government would pay half the cost of sending a research team to Mexico City to find the extent to which the high altitude there would affect British athletes. Mexico City is 7300 feet above sea level.

“1 am uneasy about the whole question of such strenuous competition at that altitude,” said Dr. Bannister. “The British Olympic Association is taking a grave responsibility in accepting the risk as a reasonable one.” He said it was possible the Olympic Games could be held at such an altitude without any mishap. “What is sometimes overlooked, however,” he added, “is that athletes under these circumstances do not always act rationally. “They tend to push themselves almost beyond the limit. We are concerned to find out as soon as possible what the risk is.” The experiments in Mexico City are due to start in October. Six three-milers from Britain will be invited to attend.