Renner looking to Europe

Press, 1 May 1984, Page 8

Renner looking to Europe

A trip to Europe for some strong competition, before the Olympics is being considered by the New Zealand champion 3000 m steeplechaser, Peter Renner (Canterbury), who was named in the 14-strong track and field section for the Los Angeles Games last evening. The New Zealand track team leaves for California on July 7 and pre-Games competition had already been arranged. However, the tall Christchurch runner is not convinced that this will entirely suit his needs. “There are about four or five meetings in the Los Angeles area before the Games, but I would hate to go there and find that all the top steeplechasers were away in Europe,” Renner, aged 24, said last night. He has some funds from the New Zealand Sports Foundation saved up and might put this towards his trip to Europe. “At least there I would be sure of getting top races and top competition.” Renner had not heard of his selection when telephoned by “The Press” last evening, but admitted he was “pretty sure” he would be included. However, he was quick to add that he had not been taking selection for granted. Others with good credentials had missed out before, he said. “My aim is to get in the Olympic steeplechase final. Having achieved that, I will then see how well I can do. If I run really well, I might go back to Europe and try and run some fast times.” The other Canterbury representative in the Olympic athletics section is Mary O’Connor, who can expect to be a strong candidate for honours in the women’s marathon. Miss O’Connor, aged 28, could not be contacted last evening but her coach, Mr Bruce Milne, predicted that she might “surprise a few people” at Los Angeles. Miss O’Connor was ranked fourth in the world after her

2hr 28min 20s run in the London marathon last year, and Mr Milne believes that this is a fair indication of her ability. “I am quietly confident that Mary will run up to her best,” he said. “She is a fit girl, and has a record of coming up trumps when it really counts.” Miss O’Connor, who also represented New Zealand at the world cross-country championships in New York last March, will probably travel to Idaho six weeks before the Olympics for some modest altitude training. This will be at about 1000 m, which Mr Milne feels is. quite high enough. He feels that too much emphasis can be placed on altitude training. “We intend to stick pretty much with what we know,” he said. The refusal by the Olympic selectors of the credentials of the experienced marathon runner, Kevin Ryan, currently based in the United States, comes as something of a surprise. Ryan was a mere 23s outside the Olympic qualifying time of 2hr 12min 30s. His omission is even more puzzling when consideration is given to the selection of the long jumper, Steve Walsh (Auckland), who also failed to achieve the qualifying standard. He was four centimetres outside the required distance of eight metres with his best legal leap, although he did have a wind-assisted performance of B.lom. The selectors must have decided to accept the windy leap, which must make Walsh very happy and leave Ryan upset and frustrated. Mike O’Rourke (Auckland), the gold medallist in the javelin at the Brisbane Commonwealth Games, has had his activities this season curtailed by an arm injury. He missed the national championships, but had generously been given until July 28 — the day of the opening ceremony — to better the qualifying distance of 85m. A fully fit O’Rourke could be an outside medal chance.