Kenyan Threat “No Effect” On N.Z. Attitude

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32252, 21 March 1970, Page 13

Kenyan Threat “No Effect” On N.Z. Attitude

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. The threatened Kenyan boycott of the Commonwealth Games at Edinburgh in July will have no effect on New Zealand's attitude or preparation for the event, the chairman of the Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (Mr C. L. S. Cross) said yesterday.

Mr Cross will be in Christchurch today to, discuss the situation; with the visiting Kenyan athletes. K. Keino and C. Asati, and their manager, Mr E. Drury. “At this stage, I can see no reason why New Zealand should alter its plans,” he said. “We will go ahead in' the normal way. “This whole business will* certainly have no effect oh our], attitude to Edinburgh.” |, Kenya’s place at the Edin-(| turgh Games in July could be-

: in serious jeopardy, according to the “Daily Telegraph.” 1 The English daily paper made this comment after the statement of the Kenyan man- ■ ager, Mr Drury, that he would follow his Government’s boycott, and not allow Keino and Asati to compete against any New Zealander who had been in competition with South Africans and Rhodesians in the last three years. “If Kenya keeps up its ■ boycott,” added the news- | paper, “and other African na- ! tions follow its hard line, j the Commonwealth Games, 'especially the athletics, will ' be seriously hit i “The absence of such ath- ! letes as Keino, Temu and IBiwott, would rob the Games (of much of their glamour.” VISITORS IMPRESSED ; In Christchurch yesterday, (Keino, Asati and the Jamai- ! can, B. Dyce, visited the Unij versity of Canterbury and ! were impressed by the accomI modation at Christchurch College, which will be part of the Games village if Christchurch is successful in its bid to get' the Commonwealth Games in 1974. Mr Drury described the accommodation as “most acceptable.” If the games were to come to Christchurch, the Kenyan team would be happy to stay at Christchurch College, he said. DYCE IN 1500 M The three athletes will be the main drawcards at the Kaiapoi track and field classic at Lancaster Park today and tomorrow. They face a fairly strenuous two days of competition against New Zealand’s leading contenders for the Commonwealth Games team. After his encouraging per-

; formance in the mile at Mount Smart Stadium on ■ Wednesday, Dyce has agreed • to run in the 1500 metres to- ■ day against Keino, as well as I in the 400 metres invitation • against Asati. Keino, who was beaten by ’ the former New Zealand i champion, R. Quax (Waikato', in the mile at Auckland, hopes to do better today after recovering from his long trip to New Zealand. However, there is the possibility that Quax, having broken the 4min barrier for the mile and virtually assured himself of selection in the Games team, will withdraw from the 1500 metres and concentrate on the 800 metres tomorrow. In spite of this, there is a strong possibility that the race will be run in a time close to the New Zealand record of 3min 37.65ec held jointly by P. G. Snell and Keino.