Change angers coach

Press, 4 March 1982, Page 34

Change angers coach

Programme changes have deprived the young Canterbury Commonwealth Games prospect, Michael Gilchrist, of the opportunity to attempt the traditional 800-1500 m double in the New Zealand track and field championships at Queen Elizabeth II Park this week-end. His coach, Mr Valdemars Briedis. a former New Zealand Olympic coach, is highly critical of the changes affecting these two events and describes the situation as “silly.” The arrangement of the heats for the two events.

and the timing of them, made it impossible for any athlete to do himself justice in both events, he said. The 800 m heats are scheduled for 10.15 p.m. on Saturday, followed by the 1500 m heats at 11.35 a.m. The 800 m semi-finals ' are programmed for 2 p.m. and the 1500 m final' is- set down for 3.15 p.m., all on the same day. “Expecting any athelete to run three races before the 1500 m final is ridiculous,” Mr Briedis said. “There will be a

lot of criticism of this. It affects a lot of people. No doubt, the programme will be changed around again for next season, but that is not much consolation now.” The programme changes were made after the decision to move the championships forward from the usual Fri-day-Saturday combination to a Saturday and. a Sunday. The 800 m and ISOOmy finals were always held on the second day, with heats for both being held on the first day.