No action planned over body builders in S.A.

Press, 24 April 1986, Page 3

No action planned over body builders in S.A.

PA Auckland The New Zealand Body Building Federation will not discipline six of its members who competed in an international bodybuilding championship in South Africa The body-building championship in Pretoria last week was part of the multi-nation South African Games. The chairman of the Body Building Federation, Mr Graham Fong, said the six New Zealanders competed in South Africa as individuals and were not representing the New Zealand federation. “They were told they

would be competing as individuals before they left and it was over to them to make their own decisions whether to go,” said Mr Fong. "No disciplinary action will be taken against them,” he said. Mr Fong, who accompanied the six competitors to South Africa, said he saw no difference between the New Zealand body builders competing as individuals in South Africa and the tour there by the New Zealand rugby players. “They were not representing the New Zealand Body Building Federation just as the All Blacks now

in South Africa will not be representing the New Zealand Rugby Union. To me there is no difference.” The body builders’ return air fares and their accommodation while in South Africa were paid by the South African organisers of the international championship. Competitors from Australia, England, Mexico, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, West German, Israel and Austria also competed. Whangarei’s Don Steedman won the lightweight class in Pretoria and his wife, Cherie, was fourth in the women’s division.