Mexico Carries On With Games Plans

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31631, 18 March 1968, Page 13

Mexico Carries On With Games Plans

(N.Z.P A.-Reuter—Copyright)

MEXICO CITY, March 17.

Mexico has no thought of cancelling the Olympic Games next October, despite the widespread threat of boycott over South Africa’s readmission, according to Mr Pedro Vazquez, chairman of the Olympic Organising Committee.

“We are sure all problems will be resolved and the Games will be a success,” Mr Vazquez said in an interview “We are working hard and fast with our preparations and have not let up because of the boycott threats.” Mr Vasquez and his chief assistants have however persuaded the president of the International Olympic Committee (Mr Avery Brundage) to call a special meeting of the 1.0. C. executive board on April 20 and 21 in Lausanne, Switzerland

Mr Vazquez said it was up to South Africa to prove its good will, after gaining readmission to the Games by promising to send a raciallyintegrated team, but he doubted if South Africa could now win a two-thirds majority vote for participation. It was given a mere majority in a

postal poll during the recent Winter Olympics at Grenoble.

“Is this a little step forward by the South Africans, or is it a trick to get back into the Games?” Mr Vazquez asked “Will we see black South Africans competing against white South Africans before the Olympics and after the Olympics? The Olympic ideal of equality and non-discrimin-ation does not last only 15 days. It is a permanent thing, to be observed before and after.”

Asked if cancellation of the October Games was a possibility under any circumstances. Mr Vazquez replied: “We are resolved to fulfil our promise to offer the Games to the youth of the world.” Mr Vazquez estimates that by the time the Games draw to a close, Mexico will have spent the equivalent of SNZ3S.7m on construction work and another SNZ39.3m on organisation.