Walker may run at Q.E. II

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 34012, 28 November 1975, Page 24

Walker may run at Q.E. II

John Walker. the world mile recordholder, may run in an 800 metre race at Queen Elizabeth II Park on December 27.

Mr D. W. Mackenzie, president of the Canterbury Amateur Athletic Centre, told the management committee last evening that he thought Walker would accept the invitation. If Walker did compete, it would be only against Canterbury athletes. The meeting approved that an invitation be sent to Walker to compete on that day. This decision was reached after members of the committee had firmly expressed their disappointment at the events which led to Interprom Holding’s abandoning plans to hold an international meeting at the stadium on January 10 and 11. A telegram from the managing director of the company (Mr K. J. Ryall, of Christchurch) which stated that it was necessary to withdraw [from sponsorship of the • meeting because, qf the withdrawal of the world 1500 metres record-holder, Filbert ißayi (Tanzania), was read to the meeting. Mr Mackenzie was critical of the handling of the matter by the New Zealand association. “It seems to me that invitations were not sent to the athletes by the national body when it was requested to do so.” he said. He added that he had heard that Walker did not wish to compete at the international meeting in Christchurch. “That is his decision and I respect it. “But it was strange the way Bayi’s withdrawal was announced. He, accepted and then withdrew—it would have been different had he not originally accepted,” said Mr Mackenzie.

Mr W. Kennedy asked if the centre had the liberty to contact Bayi direct. “To my mind there has been a fair bit of skullduggery in Auckland—l’ll use the term shanghai—as far as the Interprom meeting has been concerned. Their underhand approach should be clarified and brought into the open so that any loopholes can be shut for the future.”