Brundage On Surprise Visit To South Africa

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31655, 16 April 1968, Page 16

Brundage On Surprise Visit To South Africa

(N.Z.P.A -Reuter—Copyright) / JOHANNESBURG. Mr Avery Brundage, president of the International .’ Olympic Committee, headed for South Africa yesterday on a '. surprise visit which observers were convinced had more to do with settling the Olympic Games crisis than seeing the country’s ' wild life.

As he passed through Rome on his way to Johannesburg on Sunday night, Mr Brundage handed reporters a statement which said: “In view of the climate existing in some parts of the civilised world 1 thought it might be refreshing to spend a few days with the animals in their natural habitat in Kruger National Park.” He refused to say whether the visit had anything to do with the crisis over South

Africa's admission to the Olympic Games in Mexico City later this year. But Mr Frank Braun, chairman of the South African Olympic Committee, commented: “I don't think that the real reason for Mr Brundage’s visit is to see the wild life. However, the Kruger National Park would be a good place to have a quiet chat. “This is good news. He will be able to see at first hand what is going on.” Mr Brundage was to arrive on the final day of the South African national athletic championships—in effect a pre-Olympic trial—and Mr

Braun said he hoped to persuade him to attend. Mr Braun also announced that a non-white athlete would carry the South African flag at the opening ceremony of.. , the Games in Mexico City and ,a white athlete would carry’ | the standard at the closing, ceremony. ! White and non-white ath-' letes would travel to Mexico (together, and would not be I segregated in the Olympic' village.