Springbok tour may mean no Games

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33141, 3 February 1973, Page 1

Springbok tour may mean no Games

(By

K. J. McMENAMIN)

If the Springbok Rugby team tours New Zealand this year, consideration may have to be given to abandoning the 1974 Commonwealth Games.

And, because Canada, the host country for both the 1976 Olympic Games and the 1978 Commonwealth Gaines, would be placed in an awkward position if there were a boycott of the Christchurch Games, the 1978 Games in Edmonton might not take place either.

These points have been made by the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee in the report compiled near the end of last year on the consequences for the Games if the Springbok tour went ahead.

A copy of the report was sent to the then Prime Minister (Mr Marshall), and another sent to Mr Kirk, as Leader of the Opposition. More recently, at Mr Kirk’s suggestion, the organising committee sent axopy to the New Zealand Rugby Union. The report was based on the findings of the members of the Games Organising Committee who went to Munich last year. They described the thinking in nearly all Commonwealth countries on the Games, in relation to

the Rugby tour, and calculated the possible effects on the Games should the tour be made. The committee also has had to consider the possibility of holding the Games without Royal patronage, or without the presence of any of the Royal Family. The fact that the Games might be disrupted by demonstrations has also been taken into account.

Regard for the delicate Commonwealth situation raised by a boycott might mean that the Queen would dissociate herself completely from the festival, even to the extent of not sending her traditional message to the opening ceremony. From the findings of its members, the organising committee has concluded that at least 23 countries would definitely join a boycott; and the number might be closer to 30. This would leave about 17 participating countries. The absentees would probably include all the African Commonwealth countries, most of the Caribbean countries, and Malaysia. Other Asian Commonwealth countries have expressed views which suggest they would join a boycott. If the boycott included as many as 28 or 29 countries, about 30 per cent of expected competitors would be lost. In the track and field events, undeniably the most •glamorous part of any Games, about 40 per cent of the expected competitors would be missing. African teams The absence of the African countries would cause this serious reduction in the number of track and field athletes and, because their events are the main source of gate receipts the financial success of the Games might be in doubt. If the tour goes on, it is

certain that the organising committee will, at the very least, have to make a complete re-appraisal of its finances.

The committee is now aware that even if the Springbok tour should be cancelled, at least one African nation is likely to turn its attention to other fields of New Zealand sporting contact with South Africa and Rhodesia. But that country is unlikely to secure full support from the other African, Asian or Caribbean countries.

Canada’s position Canada’s position, should there be a boycott, is seen by some members of the organising committee to be extremely difficult and the report almost certainly mentions Canada’s dilemma. The fear is that Canada will be under pressure to join a boycott on the grounds that if it does not, the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal might be less than fully attended. Some see Canada being forced into a position of having to decide whether to come to Christchurch in 1974, and thereby prejudice its chances of holding successful Olympics, or to stay away from Christchurch. If Canada stays away next

year, it will almost certainly have to withdraw its offer to be host to the 1978 Games and this, perhaps, might lead to the end of the Commpnwealth Games for all time.