New Zealand Games

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33753, 28 January 1975, Page 14

New Zealand Games

Sir, —The people of Christchurch and New Zealand have again been treated to a fine spectacle of competition and comradeship at the first New Zealand Games. But may I express my disappointment that the. commercial world has been allowed to pollute the boundary fence of the stadium with advertisements and exploit this fine human endeavour. These companies must have helped in some way, but can this abuse of advertising at

Queen Elizabeth II Park be aed before it gets out of — Yours, etc., P. J. CRAWFORD. January 26, 1975. Athlete of the Games Sir,—John Walker, athlete of the games? Probably a popular choice — we New Zealanders are renowned for parochialism. What about Charlene Rendina’s 800 metres win with a broken toe, Angela Cook’s 1500-3000 metres double, Joni Huntley’s fine jumping? Perhaps a little male chauvinist piggery by the selection panel? If it had to be a male consider the tremendous performances by the decathlon athletes. Bennett and Jenner’s gesture in entering the pole vault event after finishing a 1500 metres was the height of sportsmanship. — Yours, etc., P. A. RYAN. January 27, 1975. [Mr B. S. Hunt, chairman of the selection panel for the award, replies: “There were so many world-class performances that the choice was extremely difficult. The final choice was between three competitors who were singled out above the others. One of these is not mentioned by the correspondent.”]