Omission causes reaction

Press, 2 January 1981, Page 3

Omission causes reaction

NZPA Sydney • Angry Olympic Games officials yesterday criticised the omission of the swimming star, Michelle Ford, from the Netfr Year’s Honours List. ' “If anyone deserved. a mention Michelle did,” said Australia’s swimming coach in .Moscow, Bill Sweetenham; • Two officials of sports which boycotted the Moscow Games received 0.8.E.s — Patrick Ryan, president of ■the Australian Hockey eration, and Jack Walsh, president of the Equestrian Federation. . Mr Sweetenham said that the snub was made worse because Michelle was the only individual Olympic gold diedallist for Australia since 1972. - “I wonder if the hockey rind equestrian officials feel they deserve their honours,” 'W Sweetenham said. “I don’t think Michelle has received the accolades she de?“lt’s a shame for her bemuse she’s done so much.” The Moscow team’s genial manager, Phil Coles,

said it “seems rather pointed” that men from two sports which supported the Prime Minister’s boycott were given honours.

The swimmer, Tracey Wickham, and athlete, Raelene Boyle, had received Queen’s Honours for services to sport, and neither had won an Olympic Gold, Mr Coles said. “It is traditional for Olympians to be in the Honours List.- Herb Elliott and Dawn Fraser were honoured, and the yachstman, Bill Northam, was knighted.” Mr Coles said it was curious that two other officials — Al Ramsay (basketball) and Bill Slade (swimming) — were .in the Honours List.

“They are from two sports which ignored the boycott call,” he said. Mr Coles said that all Olympic general managers “as far back as you can go” had also received awards. “But I didn’t go into amateur sport for the honours,” he said. “I feel sorry for the competitors who missed out.”