N.Z. drops bid for swim titles

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33742, 15 January 1975, Page 14

N.Z. drops bid for swim titles

j Christchurch will not now have a chance to host the third world swimming champion- I ships in 1978. The New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association last evening decided to withdraw its bid for the event after! members had doubted the! ability to raise $20,000 before' July to support the applica-l tioh. A deposit of SUS3OOO had to be made to F.I.N.A. (the world governing body ) by I February 1, and a further SUS7OOO would have to be' paid if the application was I, successful in July.

In addition, there-would be promotion costs which were estimated at about $lO,OOO.

OTHER APPLICANTS The championships, which) would involve swimming, div-i ing,' water polo and synchro-1 nised swimming, are being sought by West Germany and i the United States. A decision on the successful applicant will be made! at this year’s world cham-j pionships in Cali, Colombia, ( : in July. Considerable work on New). Zealand’s application had already been done and was): Ito be made into a glossy;’ publication. “If we are to pursue this matter, it is no use fiddling ■ around. It will have to be a (professional promotion, and where will the funds come | from?” Mr G. S. Brockett asked.

“Do we have the ability ito support and run such an levent?” I Mr A. J. Donaldson, a member of the committee which investigated the feasi-i bility of the venture, said’ that about $200,000 would be' required to run the chant-’ pionships. “What we are scared of, it seems, is that we will get the championships,” Mr D. R. Truscott said. The motion to withdraw the application was passed by six votes to five.

Although it is short of finjance. the association will I make every effort to send a team to the Coca-Cola inter(national meeting in London lat Easter, and then to the All-Japan indoor championships from April 4 to 6. , The association was ’offered £6OO travelling expenses to London, and last (evening the invitation to send | a swimmer and coach to Japan at its expense was received. The association has applied I for assistance from the Ministry of Sport and Recreation I for the tour. ; The following New’ Zealand records were ratified:— SENIOR j Men.—Long course: B Naylor (Southland I, 400 m freest vic, i 4:4.7. Women.—Long course: J. Park house (Canterbury), 1500 m free(style, 17:33.7: M. Rodah) lAuek land). 200 m butterfly, 2:22.7 (also junior record). Shortcourse '2'metres): F. Newell (Southland, ilOOm breaststroke, 1:18.9. JUNIOR I Boys.—Long course: R. Novak (Otago), 100 m breaststroke. 1:13 7 (also 1:13.0); 200 m breaststroke, 12:35.9; S. Wilson (Otago), 200 m (individual medley, 2:23.1. i Girls.—Long course: A. Calder l(Otago), 100 m freestyle, 1:2.4. 1200 m freestyle, 2:10.9; 400 n freestyle, 4:33,2. Short course i(25 metres): Miss Rodahi, 100 m Ibackstroke, 1:9.4; 200 m indi virtual medley. 2:28.7. (33 1-? yards): Miss Rodahi, 220 yard.backstroke 2:28.7.