Walker denies report

Press, 22 October 1983, Page 64

Walker denies report

PA Auckland John Walker yesterday denied a West German report that he received an average $l7OO each time he raced in Europe — but he wouldn’t say whether he got more or less. The newspaper, “Abendzeitung” of Munich, published a list of what it said were the asking prices of the world's leading athletes when they compete at major European meetings. Walker was said to command $l7OO, the same figure as the world women’s 1500 m and 3000 m champion, Mary Decker.

The world’s leading money-maker was said to be an American, Carl Lewis, winner of the 100 m and long jump at the recent world championships in Helsinki, Finland.

According to the newspapers, Lewis was worth $22,500 each time he competed.

Said Walker in Auckland yesterday: “Those figures quoted are all wrong. Some are too high and some are too low. "I know Carl Lewis and his manager and there is no way he gets that amount each time he competes. The promoters just couldn’t afford to pay it. They would go broke.” Walker added that payments to athletes were now legal, provided the money was administered by the athlete’s national association and went into a trust fund.

“Everything I receive is administered by the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association. It goes into my trust fund and I can draw expenses against it,” he explained.