Walker in hospital as 'a precaution’

Press, 14 November 1977, Page 6

Walker in hospital as ' a precaution’

PA Auckland John Walker, the Olympic 1500 metres champion and world one mile recordholder is not, in the opinion of his physician Dr Lloyd Drake, facing the sudden termination of his athleticcareer.

Walker’s sojourn in hospital this week is “only a precaution.” ■ “John has a circulatory problem to the calf,” said Dr Drake last night. “He has had his vein checked out. That showed he has varicose veins but no circulatory problems. So now we are going to check his arterial tree. "It is quite likely that we will find nothing, because at rest there is nothing wrong with his circulation. It is only after 20 minutes or so of intense physical effort that the calf goes numb and loses all strength. Dr Drake said that Walker has a back problem. “We are trying to overcome the ; intense stiffness in the back muscles,” he said. “He has ■ improved the last few days since massage and treatment ■ on his back. , “But the reason for the : exploratory procedure at , present is because if we were . not to do it and find close to the time of the international tour that there is something wrong we would kick ourselves for not discovering it sooner and have the time to correct it." .

Meanwhile the prospects of seeing Filbert Bayi, of Tanzania, competing against Walker in New Zealand are bright. Mr John Comaga, president of the Auckland Amateur Athletic Association said that although Bayi would not be here for the January international tour, he would be coming in February or March. “This is better for us.” said Mr Comaga, “John Walker could then use the January tour to race himself into peak fitness to race against Bayi.”