EDINBURGH PATTERN WILL BE USED Athletics committee to play important role in 1974 Games

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32604, 12 May 1971, Page 14

EDINBURGH PATTERN WILL BE USED Athletics committee to play important role in 1974 Games

(By

K. J. McMENAMIN)

TT has been said — and not x always jokingly—that in the eyes of the world the success or otherwise of a major sports festival is dependent on the Quality of the padding on the seats allotted the representatives of overseas news services. This is perhaps an exaggeration, but notwithstanding the important role each of the 23 speciallyformed committees has to play in the preparation for and the running of the 1974 Commonwealth Games, it will, in the final analysis, be what these visiting newsmen, together with all the other visitors, see at Lancaster Park that determines just how well Christchurch has met its challenge. It is gratifying, therefore, that Mr B. H. Ken- is fully aware of the need for Lancaster park to be the showpiece of the Games. He is the chairman of the Gaines track and field control committee. In an interview last week, Mr Kerr left no doubt that he and his committee are well equipped to tackle the important assignment they have been given. Already the committee has cleared many minor matters and is well advanced on the more intricate questions it must deal with. It is fortunate in having available the first-hand knowledge Mr Kerr gained as manager of the New Zealand track and field team which contested the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games last year.

t At Edinburgh there were t 550 track and field compei titors, of which 400 were, f men, and Mr Kerr expects s that there will be about the f same number competing in ; 1974. Edinburgh had about 3 250 officials, but he considers Christchurch will . need no more than 200. The committee has estabs lished an officials sub- ' committee and it has the ’ responsibility of preparing [ a list of the officials re- ’ quired and then finding the ’ people io fill the berths. ! This will be done in two sections: skilled technical * officials; and the non-skilled who will be involved mainly 1 in the organisation and 1 communication fields. , Mr Kerr said New Zear land was well able to pro- . vide all the officials who would be needed, but some ! spots would go to officials s with overseas teams. Documentary evidence of their t competency would be rel quired. ! The officials sub- » committee would also have t the task of training these people so that all were of a i standard required for an in- ■ ternational athletics meetI «ng. It is with this require- [ ment in mind that Mr Kerr - insists that Lancaster Park,

in its Games form, must be ready for athletic meetings some weeks in advance of the opening date of January 24. "We will be going to a new venue with all new equipment. We must have time to become accustomed to the surroundings and for officials to become familiar with their duties." The 1973-74 national championships, or a trial to pick the New Zealand team, would be the most desirable dress rehearsal. Failing either of these, at least a full-scale inter-centre meet-

ing must be arranged, he said. In addition, the members of the New Zealand track and field team were entitled to experience competition on a tartan track (which is to be laid at Lancaster Park and which will be the only track of its kind in the country) before the Games in order to be on an equal footing with athletes from the British Isles, Canada and Australia, said Mr Kerr. In regard to the wide range of. equipment that will be required for Lancaster Park, Mr Kerr said that some orders would be delayed until after the Munich Olympics next year so that any advancements or technical improvements found there could be followed up. One of the biggest tasks the Games organising body faces in the near future is the detailing of the actual Games programme and this is something of vital interest to the track and field committee. There will not be athletics every day of the Games and it is important that each of its days does have the drawcard of a final. Such scheduling is more difficult than it might appear, especially when consecutive days must be used for the pentathlon and the decathlon. In its planning the control committee was using the

pattern set at Edinburgh a pattern which was very successful—together with its experience of New Zealand athletics meetings, i said Mr Kerr. “It is just a matter ofi scaling up our thoughts to the level of a Commonwealth Games.” The committee had given some thought to the marathon and had agreed that it be plotted over a “main roads” course and be run on the out and back principle,: he said. The route being considered is one to take in Sealey Avenue. Harper Avenue, Fendalton Road and Memorial Avenue with a tum then either north of west to get to a point exactly half the marathon distance. In deciding on the marathon course three matters must be taken into consideration, said Mr Kerr. “The roadway must be of a good surface with an even camber and it must have as much shelter as possible. Thirdly, for publicity purposes the course's backdrop must present the best possible picture of Christchurch. The 20-mile road walk, which is traditionally held before the marathon, would probably be staged over much of the marathon course, Mr Kerr said.