Joyce withdraws assault charges

Press, 20 March 1982, Page 64

Joyce withdraws assault charges

Brenton Joyce, the runner from the St Martins club, who was involved in an incident at the end of last Saturday’s Big M 10,000 m road running race, yesterday went to the Christchurch Police Station to have his charges of assault against three race organisers withdrawn. In addition, Mr Joyce has also made a public apology to the race organisers for breaching the rules of the race. The reason for seeing the police about withdrawing the assault charges and apologising to the race organisers was “to clear the air.” “There is enough bitterness in the world without having all this too,” he said.

Although Mr Joyce said he had apologised to the organisers for breaching the race rules, he said that the organisers may have been in breach of Rule 53, clause 9, of the International Amateur Athletic code regarding the size of the sponsor’s insignia on the racing numbers. Meanwhile the executive of the Canterbury centre of the Amateur Athletic Association received letters at its meeting last Wednesday evening from both the University of Canterbury clubs and the St Martins club putting opposing views of the incident, which occurred when Joyce was removed from the race for not displaying - the sponsor’s insignia.

The executive elected a sub-committee of six, with the president, Mr R. Syme, as convenor. The sub-com-mittee will report back to the executive on April 15 with recommendations. Mr Syme told the executive that although he was a member of the University club he hoped that the executive would have confidence in his impartiality. He had been out of town when the race was run and had nothing to do with its organisation, he said. y The University • clubs sought disciplinary action against Joyce for not abiding by race regulations and also sought guidelines for future race organisers. The St Martins club sought a public

apology and an assurance that such an incident would not happen again. The St Martins club also suggested that sponsors be advised in future of runners granted exemption from having to wear sponsors' insignia. The executive also granted leave of absence to a member of the. executive, Mr John Smart, until the affair has been resolved. Mr Smart was absent with an apology from the meeting. He was involved in the incident at the / finishing chute when - Joyce was removed from the race. Joyce said that to avoid . “further unfortunate incidents” the International i Amateur Athletic Association rule 53 (9)- note should be

amended. Joyce’s amendment would formalise internationally the scheme which he began in Canterbury whereby runners may be granted exemption from wearing sponsors’ insignia providing they pay a proportional contribution towards total costs and that they do not accept prizes. The international rule as it stands reads: At area or group games or championships the competitors’ number cards may bear only the official name of the meeting or competition. (size not to exceed 15cm by 2.5 em) in addition to the actual number. Joyce wants the words “with exceptions” inserted j between “bear” and “only.” i