Chch likely host for 1981 games

Press, 13 June 1979, Page 38

Chch likely host for 1981 games

By

DAVID LEGGAT

Christchurch has an excellent chance of hosting the 1981 World Veteran track and field championships if one experienced and influential observer has her way. Mrs Helen Pain, the editor of the United States Masters newsletter, is in Christchurch for a brief visit to inspect the sporting and accommodation facilities in the city. Her former husband, David, was the founder of the International Veterans’ Athletic Movement 12 years ago, and she regularly accompanies veterans’ groups to international meetings. Christchurch is vying with Australia, Japan and Great Britain for the right to hold the championships. A final decision on the venue will be made during this year’s event, at Hanover in July. Yesterday Mrs Pain made a tour of Queen Elizabeth II Park and was obviously delighted with what she saw. “There is no better place in the world. It is an absolutely glorious spot,” she said. Mrs Pain was in Christchurch in January 1974, before the Commonwealth Games but this was her first look at the completed stadium.

She believes Christchurch

does have advantages over its chief rivals, notably Japan. “Japan is a beautiful country but it is more expensive. It is not as accessible and there are language difficulties, but I hope that one day we will go to Japan.” Christchurch, however, has one major disadvantage. Northern Hemisphere athletes train to compete in July or August. If Christchurch was to host the championships they would be held in early January. The last two championships, in Toronto and Sweden, as well as this year’s competition, have been timed to suit the athletes from the Northern Hemisphere but Mrs Pain feels very strongly that the time is right to do “an about face." Mrs Pain said it was impossible to try to gauge how many athletes might be competing in 1981. In Toronto in 1975 there were 1500, two years later in Sweden 3000 took part and it is believed that at least 4000 could be competing at Hanover. “We are not only concerned with the people involved,” said Mrs Pain. “Part of our programme is to help educate or inform people that they are not dead at 40.”