Olympic money would be switched

Press, 23 April 1980, Page 42

Olympic money would be switched

By

JOHN BROOKS

Money earmarked by the New Zealand Sports Foundation for Olympic preparation would be switched to other important international contests in the event of a boycott of the Moscow Games, according to the executive director of the foundation, Mr Keith Hancox. Provided governing sports bodies presented the foundation with details of alternative competition of a comparable standard, the money would be paid, said Mr Hancox yesterday. “First and foremost, our interest is New Zealand

sport,” he said. “The Olym-I pics provide one aspect of this scene, but they come along only once every four years. Meanwhile, world sport goes on.” Late last year the foundation allocated assistance of $128,430 to Games aspirants to boost their Moscow medal chances through participating in build-up events or obtaining new gear. Mr Hancox said that “quite a bit” of this money had not yet been drawn on as several sports bodies did not require it until May or June. But in providing the money, the foundation’s intention was to make sure

that leading competitors were capable of performing to New Zealand’s benefit at Moscow, he said. With the exception of one special case, the foundation was not involved in providing money to send officials or competitors to the Games, Tnere had been, he said, some confusion among the public over this point. The coach (Max Vertogen) and mechanic (Gary Brady) of the prominent cyclist, Anthony Cuff, had been allocated $l5OO. each, which represented 75 per cent of their fares to Moscow.

, Cuff, who rides a $3OOO stainless steel racing bike in the kilometre time trial, is regarded as medal material, and it was felt his prospects would be improved if his coach and mechanic were with him at the Games. The foundation had made this grant because, as Mr Hancox put it, the Cycling Association had an enormous burden to carry. The New Zealand Yachting Federation, which has withdrawn its team from the Games, would still receive financial assistance from the foundation provided it furnished details of alternative

competition in 'writing, and this competition met the foundation’s criteria, Mr Hancox said. The federation had it in mind to enter its crews in a big international regatta known as Helsinki Week. The show jumping rider, Mark Todd, who won the Badminton horse trials in England this week, received $2500 from the foundation for overseas competition and training. But, said Mr Hancox, the real objective of this support was participation in the world championships next year. The Olympics were regarded as a stepping stone.