Suggestion dismissed

Press, 7 February 1985, Page 40

Suggestion dismissed

PA Auckland John Walker says he does not care if he is tagged as “selfish” in avoiding the American, Steve Scott, in their race to be the first to run 100 sub-four-minute miles.

Walker yesterday brushed off Scott’s suggestion that they each get to 99 and then race off head-to-head in pursuit of the 100th with the winner taking the honour.

“I’m not interested in that at all,” said Walker. “The risk would be too

great. I’m not waiting for anyone. If we wanted a real ding-dong go then we could both wait for Ray Flynn and Sydney Maree to catch up and then have a real bonanza for the last. “But that’s not on.

“Bannister didn’t wait for Landy when he went after the first sub-four-minute mile and I’m not waiting for Scott. “If I wanted to make money the major consideration then I would have hung about in the United States and run them off over

there. But I’m not. I have said all along I wanted to run here, and in particular at Mount Smart.”

Of reports that Scott may look for other races to help to close the gap — Walker at present leads 97-95 on the official count —- the New Zealander said he very much doubted if he would find them.

Walker had earlier heard that Scott was searching for another United States meeting to compete in so as to beat Walker to the historic mark.