"Worst Organised Games"

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31135, 11 August 1966, Page 20

"Worst Organised Games"

(Special Crspdt. N.Z.P.A.) KINGSTON. The Commonwealth Games in Jamaica have been the worst organised of any international meeting in the experience of the New Zealand team manger, Mr R. Shakespeare. “I know they have tried hard, but some of the things that have been done here would not be tolerated at a country meeting in New Zealand,” he said. The organisation of certain

sports was “pathetic.” Grandstand accommodation for competitors before and after their events was non-exist-ent. Many times competitors had been directed to seats only to find that ticket holders came along to shift them. “While I can appreciate their difficulties I must say that it has been far from wdll organised,” said Mr Shakespeare. He thought the organisation at the main stadium and at the swimming to be the worst. Several times wrong placings had been announced at the swimming. And there was one case of a Northern Ire-

land competitor watching the swimming on television at the Games village and hearing himself called for an event three-quarters of an hour before he had been told to be there. He had been allowed to swim a special time on his own and had qualified for the final, but he understood there was a dispute about this, said Mr Shakespeare. With the closing ceremony foui days away, the teams do not yet know where nonparticipating team members are to be accommodated in the stadium, or even if any provision is to be made for them.

All medal winners, the flag bearers, and six others from each country will be in the parade, but no advice has been received about the rest of (he teams. “I am hoping this is being organised, but no-one seems to have heard anything yet. I intend to take up the matter to see what can be done,” said Mr Shakespeare. Mr Shakespeare, an accountant in Hastings, was a diving official at the 1950 Games in Auckland. He was swimming section manager at Perth four years ago, and was assistant manager of the New Zealand team at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo.