Athletics Body Refuses Support For Julian

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31728, 11 July 1968, Page 19

Athletics Body Refuses Support For Julian

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. A. request by the Auckland Centre for the Amateur Athletic Association to forward an appeal for the reopening of the case of J. L. Julian has been refused by the association.

Julian was omitted from the Olympic Games team, and the Auckland Centre asked that the Olympic selectors reconsider the matter. The letter claimed the selectors could not have known all the facts regarding Julian’s performances if the team had been selected on present form and not past performances. “Julian has beaten M. R. Ryan, who has been selected in the team, every time they have met, either at marathon or other distances, during the last 12 months,” it stated. “This is the first time in either an Olympic or Commonwealth Games year that Julian has been the national champion. Yet he has been omitted now although selected for previous games on four other occasions.”

Not Sending Coach The association decided against sending an athletics coach to the Olympic Games.

The decision was made after the treasurer, Mr G. W. Jackman, said the association had $4500 available to finance the athletic squad If one official only—a section manager—was sent, the association would be able to contribute $4OO towards the expenses of each Category B athlete. If a coach accompanied the team, the N.Z.A.A.A contribution io each Category B athlete would be reduced to $lBO. The chairman, Mr C. A Blazey, said that the athletics

team was considerably smaller than normal and that most of the members were experienced competitors. “I do not feel that there is the same need for a coach as there would be with a bigger team," he added. Reinstatement Appeal

An application from Auckland for the reinstatement of the former Olympic gold medallist, M. G. Halberg, as an amateur was received at the meeting and referred back on a point of procedure. The N.Z.A.A.A. recently declared that Halberg has forfeited his amateur status through the use of his photograph in advertisements for a trip to the Mexico Olympic Gaines. As there was no direct representation from Halberg, the meeting decided to refer the matter back to Auckland, explaining the correct procedure to be followed.

“We can only deal with such a case if we have a sworn statement from the athlete concerned,” said Mi Blazey.