Hurdler’s heartbreak

Press, 4 October 1982, Page 26

Hurdler’s heartbreak

Hope of a medal for New Zealand from the deeds of the outstanding Wellington hurdler. Tim Soper, were shattered within a few strides of his 110 m hurdles semi-final yesterday afternoon. Soper, who set a New Zealand record of 13.09 s on the Games track earlier this week, hit the first hurdle, cleared the second and crashed through the third. He staggered right off the track and collapsed on the grass in obvious pain. He lay on the ground for some minutes, attended only by a woman official, and by the time the medical team had decided to get into action he had struggled to his feet and was being helped away to the medical centre. Soper could not be contacted immediately but the

New Zealand coach. Mr Dave Norris, later explained that Soper had suffered from a pulled hamstring in his left leg. He had felt the injury " starting on the warm-up track but felt it might hold out for the semi-final. Unfortunately, there was a false start to the first semifinal in which he was drawn and this put extra strain on him. Mr Norris said. "If it had not been for the false start he might have got away with it,” said Mr Norris, who is convinced that Soper would have been a good medal prospect had he not been hurt. Soper was not the only athlete who failed to finish; the Scottish representative, Glenn MacDonald, bowled over a string of hurdles and pulled up short of the finish.

After the race, the formerly neat rows of hurdles looked as if they had been hit by a bomb. The winner of the first semi-final was Wilbert Greaves, of England, in a smart 13.85 s from one of the main contenders. Mark McKoy, of Canada. McKoy, who recorded 13.875, just headed off the defending Games champion, Berwyn Price, of Wales.

Don Wright, who carries Australia’s main hopes, won the second semi-final in J 3.6.3 s from Mark Holtom, of England. The final will be held todav.

There were no surprises in the first two rounds of the men’s 4()0m sprints. The world's top-ranked runner, Bert Cameron, of Jamaica, won his second round heat in

a fine 46.81 s but was obviously not fully extended. He hoMs the Commonwealth record at 44.58 s and appears to have a great chance of wiping out the Games record of 45J)ls. set by the great Charles Asati, of Kenya, in Edinburgh 12 years ago..

However, if the standards achieved yesterday are any indication, he will have no chance to relax in the semifinals this morning or the final this afternoon. Honour of gaining fastest time in the four second-round heats went to Mike Okot. of Uganda, who won the third heat, in 46.545.

Australia's Moscow Olympic silver medallist. Richard Mitchell, also looked good in winning the fourth heat in 46.7 s — he was easing up in the run to the finishing line.