Budd to visit; strife on cards

Press, 1 February 1988, Page 6

Budd to visit; strife on cards

PA Wellington Big trouble is looming over the inclusion of the South Africa-born runner, Zola Budd, in the British cross-country team competing in Auckland next month. Budd’s confirmation in the team for the world cross-country championships at Ellerslie Racecourse has led to fears of the consequences for the 1990 Auckland Com-

monwealth Games and promises of anti-apartheid protests. The 1990 Commonwealth Games Board chairman, Sir Earl Richardson, said Budd’s visit could endanger the Games and the matter has already been raised with British officials. “The New Zealand Olympic and Commonwealth Games Federation has approached

the English and suggested some inherent dangers in such a situation. We obviously prefer nothing that would cast the slightest doubt on the Games.” But Sir Earl said Auckland Games officials were limited in the action they could take over Budd’s visit. “We can protest, but the English decide she conforms with their eligibility