ATHLETE WANTS TO RUN IN N.Z.

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31125, 30 July 1966, Page 16

ATHLETE WANTS TO RUN IN N.Z.

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) KINGSTON (Jamaica).

The brilliant Kenyan middle distance runner, K. Keino, will probably make his second visit to New Zealand this year.

He has had an unofficial invitation and the Kenyan Amateur Athletic Association has allocated time in December for him to go to New Zealand. Mr J. Velzian, track coach of the Kenyan team at the Empire Games, said yesterday that Keino was keen to re-

turn because he had enjoyed himself so much during his first visit last year. He said that Keino had discussed the proposal with the New Zealand middledistance runner, W. D. Baillie, and he understood that Keino’s wife also would be invited this time.

Mr J. Hutchinson, the New Zealand athletics section manager, said that he had been authorised by the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association to approach both Keino and the American runner, J. Ryun, about competing in New Zealand. It was very unlikely that Ryun would be available and a firm invitation to Keino would probably depend on whether another overseas athlete of world class to run against him could be found.

He said that he had not yet extended an official invitation to Keino nor had he yet spoken to him in Kingston.

Mr Hutchinson said that there were many Americans in various sports who wanted to compete in New Zealand but they would not be available until mid-March.

Among them were R. Boston, the world champion long jumper, R. Matson, the world shot put record-holder, and W. Toomey, the world recordholder for the decathlon.