Lost Chance Of Record Bid

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31237, 8 December 1966, Page 26

Lost Chance Of Record Bid

(By Our Athletics Reporter)

The Amateur Athletic Union of America may have lost the golden opportunity of having a world record set at one of its indoor meetings in February.

This is the result of its surprise decision to withdraw its invitation to New Zealand’s Olympic bronze medallist, Mrs M. A. M. Stephen, of Christchurch.

Mrs Stephen and her coach, Mr V. Briedis, had secretly planned that she would make a bid for the world indoor 880 yards record at present held by the Hungarian, N. Szabo, at 2min 10.6 sec.

“I have never run on boards before, but I felt sure there was a good chance I could break the record,” Mrs Stephen said yesterday, after receiving the news of the withdrawal of her invitation.

“It is a tremendous disappointment. I had set my mind on achieving this, and when I really make up my mind 1 work very hard. Now it looks as though all the work I have done might be for nothing.” Mrs Stephen, who once broke the world outdoor 880 yards record while running second to Miss D. Willis (Australia), had started to build up really hard for the American visit and the New Zealand championships immediately afterwards. “I like to be in my best possible form when I leave the country,” she explained. She had intended to keep her plans for a world record bid a secret until shortly before she left for America. Now there was nb point keeping it a secret. However, she has not yet given up all hope of visiting America. She is hoping the American Union will reconsider its decision. There was plenty of time for it to do this, she said

According to a letter received by the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, Mrs Stephen’s invitation was withdrawn because of a lack of sufficient women’s events on the meeting programmes. Mrs Stephen was at a loss to explain this decision. When she had competed in the Los Angeles international track and field meeting before the Commonwealth Games earlier this year there had been no shortage of strong competition in the 880 yards. Apart from her, the field had been made up of American girls and all had finished in less than 2min 7sec, Mrs Stephen said. However, regardless of whether the American Union decides to renew her invitation or not, Mrs Stephen is determined to carry on. She will merely switch her concentration to the defence of her national 440 and 880 yards championships. She will also try for selection in the New Zealand women’s team to compete in the R. and H. North Cup contest against New South Wales and Victoria in Melbourne on March 8 and Sydney on March 11.

“But this would definitely be my last international competition before retiring,” she added.

Commenting on the training progress to date, Mrs Stephen said: “I am beginning to feel the old strength coming in

and yet I have not started my speed work. 1 am still doing stamina training. “I was thrilled to run quite so well last Saturday. It is a good sign for me.” Mrs Stephen won both the 880 yards and 440 yards events at the triangular meeting between Canterbury, Otago and Southland. Her time of 2min 9.9 sec for the half-mile was outstanding for this time of the season.