Record disallowed?

Press, 26 February 1986, Page 64

Record disallowed?

PA Auckland Anne Audain could be denied the Commonwealth women’s 10,000 m record she set at Mt Smart Stadium last Saturday evening. Audain clocked 32min 17.1 s to break the Commonwealth record set last year by an Australian, Lisa Martin, at 32min 17.865.

An International Amateur Athletic Association rule change only recently in effect — that at least three competitors take part — could preclude the record being allowed. On Saturday there were only two competitors in the 10,000 m event — Audain and her Otahuhu clubmate Debbie Elsmore, who finished

second in 33min 15s. The rule change is in the I.A.A.F.’s 1985-86 handbook and became effective in New Zealand at the start of this 1985-86 season, according to the secretary of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association,: Barry Meyers. “I would expect the same rule would apply for Commonwealth records as for world records,” said Mr Meyers from Wellington yesterday. Audain said that while it was a pity such particulars couldn’t have been found out before Saturday night’s race she was happy to have run such a good time. “I know in my own mind I did it and that’s

really all that matters,” she said yesterday. Her coach, John Davies, said he was disappointed the record might not be allowed.

“I asked several officials before the race how many competitors were needed for it to be a legitimate event and was assured that if there was more than one it would be OK,” Mr Davies explained. ‘/So I’m disappointed for Anne’s sake.”

The chairman of the Auckland Athletic Centre’s track and field committee, Eric Fernandez, said yesterday that his centre would forward an application for a New Zealand women’s 10,000 m record for Audain