Black runner out

Press, 25 June 1979, Page 1

Black runner out

NZPA Washington The black South African athlete, Sydney Maree, withdrew from the New Jersey Olympic track classic meeting on Saturday, clearing the way for several New Zealand and other foreign athletes to appear. Maree’s decision not to compete was made just before the meeting was about to start. His withdrawal came after warnings from the International Amateur Athletic Federation that athletes might face penalties if they competed against the South African. The 1.A.A.F., which governs world track and field competition, bans South Africans from most international competition.

John Walker, Rod Dixon, Dick Quax, and Dennis Norris, of New Zealand were prepared to sit the meeting out if Maree competed. Dixon said that New Zealand athletics officials had suggested that the four athletes would be foolish to run if Maree stepped on to the track. They telephoned New Zealand for advice.

In the glamour event of the meeting, the mile, Don Paige, of the United States, pipped Walker, who was running his first race for some weeks.

Paige outkicked Walker in the final straight to win in 3min 54.65. Walker recorded 3min 555. Dixon was fifth in the same event in 3min 595. The planned 5000 m was changed to two miles. Eamonn Coghlan, of Ireland, won in Bmin 265. Quax was third in Bmin 30s. Norris won the 1500 m in 3min 495.