Anti-Zola Budd action widens

Press, 21 April 1984, Page 8

Anti-Zola Budd action widens

NZPA staff correspondent London The running sensation. Zola Budd, has become the latest victim of an increasing tendency by Labourcontrolled local councils in Britain to take a strong line over sports contacts with South Africa. The South African-born athlete, aged 17, who was controversially granted British citizenship recently, has withdrawn from a 1500metre race at Crawley today. She took the decision after the Labour-controlled Crawley Council made it clear she would not be welcome. The Crawley Council’s stance follows similar action or threats of action by councils at Leicester and in Mid-Glamorgan over rugby contacts with South Africa. Crawley’s Labour leaders opposed Miss Budd's appearance because of its political connotations and the possibility of antiapartheid demonstrations. They were also concerned that it would overshadow the athletics meeting to mark the opening of the

town's new £300,000 ($645,000) allweather track. "The questionof apartheid has been raised in the discussions by the Labour group over this whole issue,” said Crawley’s mayor, Mr Alf Pegler. "Although one cound not blame a 17-year-old girl for the sins of her country, one could wish that South Africa would conform to normally accepted human standards so that its athletes could compete under their own banner,” Miss Budd, who ran her first race in Britain last Saturday and won the 3000 metres inside the Olympic qualifying time, is now awaiting a decision by the International Olympic Committee on her eligibility to run for Britain at the Los Angeles Olympics. "Zola wants to run somewhere where she is wanted,” said Tony Miller of the Crawley Athletic Club after discussing with Miss Budd her plans before the British Championships next month. The waif-like runner is herself still being shielded by the “Daily Mail" which brought her to Britain.