Will Dixon’s anger spark medal win?

Press, 12 August 1978, Page 1

Will Dixon’s anger spark medal win?

F From ROD DEW 'I in Edmonton .

What Rod Dixon would like to do to the thief who probably cost him a medal in the 5000 m race at the .Commonwealth Games at Edmonton yesterday is unprintable. However, Dixon is thankful — if that is the word — that the gearbag bandit made off with only his wallet, passport, identity card and tracksuit. His specially-made running shoes were recovered. Dixon will now channel his anger into the heats of the 1500 m today, and should easily qualify for the final tomorrow morning (N.Z. time). The Christchurch runner won the bronze medal at the Munich Olympics in the 1500 m; a medal tomorrow would be some consolation for the tragic incident which sent "four years of work down the drain.” Dixon’s bag was left in the care of a Games official in the tent at the warm-up area adjacent to the stadium. "I was away for no more than 2nrin and when I came back it was gone. I asked the official why he hadn’t looked after it, and he said he couldn’t look after everybody’s gear,” a

4. distraught Dixon explained later. Dixon asked officials to delay the race while he attempted to trace his gear. An appeal was made over the sound system in the main stadium for the return of a New Zealand bag. It was in vain. In the end, Dixon had to compete in borrowed shoes and uniform. The race began 15min behind schedule. Dixon ran and finished eighth, well behind the winner, Henry Rono, of Kenya. Afterwards, Dixon was so upset that he could hardly speak. It was a sad result for an athlete who was regarded as the only one capable of seriously challenging Rono for the gold medal. Using shoes borrowed from David Cook (England) Dixon never looked comfortable and finished with his feet covered in blisters. “I have never had any blisters before in seven years of international competition,” he said. When he discovered that

his gear, was missing, Dixon at first thought that Les Mills, the New Zealand coach, must have taken it. An approach to Mills soon indicated that this was not the case. “I asked for a few minutes to see what could be done and everybody started trying to find gear that would fit me. But I have got a heel lift on my shoes and I knew it would be no good. “When I went out there I was shaking like a leaf. My guts were turning over. I can’t understand how anybody could do such a thing, but I don’t suppose thieves have got any brains. “It is four years of work down the drain. I put everything into this race and then this happens. I knew there was a medal there. I was going for the gold.” Dixon’s gear bag was later found by an English team coach under a tree about 200 m from the tent in the warm-up area with only the shoes inside. Television One will provide live coverage of the 1500 m final. The race will be broadcast at 8.45 a.m. (N.Z. time) tomorrow. It is the only event which will be covered live this week-end.