Walker undecided

Press, 9 August 1976, Page 26

Walker undecided

NZPA Edinburgh “The Flying Kiwis”, John Walker and Rod Dixon, do not appear ready yet to take off tor the money-strewn Gelds of professional athletics. They left Edinburgh on Saturday having twice rejected telephone call deadlines from an American promoter, who is offering professional contracts worth at least SUS3OO,OOO to each man over the next four years. Mr Michael O’Hara, of the International Track Association, wants Walker and Dixon to begin their professional lives with a

SUSIOO,OOO one-mile race in the United States on October 2. They would be billed as “the Flying Kiwis.” Needing an immediate decision to tie up television rights, he phoned them at their Edinburgh hotel at midnight on Friday night and again Saturday morning. They did not give him the “yes” he was seeking, but Dixon said later he was still considering the offer. Walker, the Olympic 1500 champion and world mile record holder, has refused to comment on the offer. Dixon, said last night he was leaving the final decision with his colleague, who is clearly the promoter’s main target It appears that Walker is finding it hard to make up

his mind, and is not as keen as the other man. Dixon appears ready to sign up if Walker agrees to "a New Zealand package,” but will not turn professional on his own.

Walker was suffering from a heavy cold and was clearly exhausted after his overnight flight from America, when he ran a slow 2min 20.2 sec over 1000 m to finish fourth behind the Belgian, Ivo van Damme (2.17.47) at Edinburgh on Friday night. Dixon, however, looked in brilliant form when he ran a very fast last lap to take a one-mile race in 3min 56.65ec. “That’s what I should have done at Montreal,” he said later.