Wenden's golden swan-song

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33445, 29 January 1974, Page 7

Wenden's golden swan-song

(By

J. K. BROOKS)

Had it not been for his wife’s persistence, Michael Wenden, Australia's leading sprint swimmer for the last eight years, would not have won the gold medal for the men's 100 m freestyle last evening.

The 24-year-old father of two (laughters had serious thoughts of retiring after the world championships in Belgrade four months ago.

But his wife, who is a professional coach, talked him into having one last fling at Christchurch. Her faith in her husband’s ability was justified last evening. Wenden surged to victory in the Games record of 52.735ec and swelled to seven the number of celebrated competitors who have won a Games gold medal in a particular event three successive times. Wenden was last from the blocks, but was soon on terms with the field and

turned first in 25.8 sec. In the last 50m there was no doubt that he had the strength and the determination necessary for victory; he won by 4ft from his closest rival. Bruce Robertson (Canada).

There is undoubted fascination at seeing a champion of many years’ standing doing it all over again — especially when he is at the end of his career.

Wenden confirmed after the race that he would retire

after the Games. "I will finish on Friday night in the last leg of the relay,” he said. Wenden made the most of his farewell performance in. individual racing. He swam a leisurely two lengths of; honour — an embellishment; not previously seen in New; Zealand pools — and threw more waves to the crowd than Dame Nellie Melba in her prime. Then he placed the Aust-, ralian mascot, a koala bear;

iclad in green and gold togs, I on the dais a full minute before he stepped up to receive his medal. The curly-haired Australian said he was a little apprehensive about retaining the; title he had won at Kingston 1 and Edinburgh until he did a fast time in the 4 x 100 m freestyle relay earlier in the Games. “I did not know I had won until I reached the wall and saw nobody else there,” he said. “But,” he joked “1 was; a little disappointed with the time.” The man who has won t eight Commonwealth and two I Olympic gold medals in his career was asked if anything had eluded him. “Yes,” he! replied in a flash, "a son.” “But I could not have! wished for anything more than I have had from my swimming career. Tonight I feel very very happy. This was my goal at the Games.”

Wenden said he had been able to train, on an average, (for only 45 minutes a da\ for the Games because of family and business commit rnents. He has a degree in ; commerce and is entering the marketing field. “Time has become very precious to me, and this is why 1 am quitting competitive swimming." he said For the future, Wenden plans to assist New South Wales swimming as an administrator. and to help his wife in coaching. He was sceptical of the dividing line drawn between amateurs and professionals and intimated that he would like to see a relaxation of restrictions on amateurs. “We are being paid .$2 a day over here,” he said. "If 1 earned $2 a day hiring swimming equipment from a kiosk, who is to say whether I was a professional or an amateur?”