Games as political arenas deplored

Press, 29 November 1976, Page 6

Games as political arenas deplored

PA Hastings He would rather see an end to the Olympic and Commonwealth Games if they became an arena for international political manoeuvring, said the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) in Hastings on Saturday evening. Mr Muldoon, speaking at a fund-raising dinner for an allweather athletics track in Hastings, repeated the Government’s policy of no interference in sport.

He said he failed to see the logic of governments which deprived their countries’ athletes of opportunities for which they had dedicated themselves.

“I know of no country in the world that has a better record than New Zealand in the field of domestic racial harmony,” Mr Muldoon said. “If international sport is going to be used as a weapon for political leverage, then it is my firm view that we shall see the end not just of the Commonwealth Games but of the Olympic Games. “The pattern has been growing and extending in recent years — and much and all as we value these great international athletic

festivals. I for my part would sooner see them end than become an arena for political manoeuvring.

' Mr Muldoon said he I believed New Zealand sport* [bodies were responsible ones i— “and I believe that many [of them today are considering whether the repercussions of a particular proposal relative to South Africa and their sport might cause difficulties for other sportsmen that are out of proportion tc the value of an exchange with South Africa,” he said. “The decision is for those sports bodies to make, for it will not be interfered with by’ the Government." If the sports bodies approached the Government, they would be told what the Government saw’ to be the repercussions of such exchanges. The Government would not make a recommendation. Mr Muldoon said he had followed the fortunes of the All Blacks and their captain. Andy Leslie (who also spoke I at the dinner). In the hardest tour any team could make, “your boys didn’t put a foot wrong,” Mr Muldoon told him. The Government wanted to

see New Zealand remain a real sporting nation, said Mr Muldoon, but he did not believe in State funding and control of sport such as occurred in many countries in the world. “I do not believe that our international sportsmen should be in effect employees of the State — sham ama teurs but in reality professionals.” he said. John Walker, who spoke at the dinner also, said the New Zealand Rugby Union was responsible for the glorv of the Montreal Olympic Games being lost for New Zealand. But he did not blame the All Blacks for going to South Africa — "it was their Olympic Games.” If the tour had been postponed things would have been “very’ sweet.” There would have been no trouble. Walker said he was proud of New Zealand but it was held to ransom by African countries. He felt sorry for Africans whose government told them whether they could run.

“1 am very’ glad that at least we (New Zealanders) have the right to compete against any country,” Walker said.