CHAMPION MILER

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 111, 6 November 1935, Page 26

CHAMPION MILER

AMATEUR STATUS

NAME IN ADVERTISEMENT

Some discussion took place at the ! meeting of the council of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association last night regarding the amateur status of L. C. McLachlan, champion mile runner. Some time ago, said the secretary, Mr. H. McCormick, McLachlan's name appeared in an advertisement for a certain brand of patent food, and in the advertisement McLachlan declared that he had built up his strength and stamina by taking the food. A letter was received from the Otago Centre stating that it had inquired into the circumstances of the advertisement, and had communicated with both the athlete and the manufacturer of the product. Both had given assurances that no personal benefit had been received or arranged in connection with the advertisement. McLachlan had no idea that his amateur status would be affected. Mr. McCormick drew attention to rule o, which read as follows: —"An amateur cannot receive any compensation for using the goods or apparatus of any firm, manufacturer, or agent, nor shall he allow his name to be used as a means of advertising or recommending the goods of any firm or manufacturer." McLachlan had obviously offended against the latter part of the rule. It was decided to caution McLachlan, and insist upon the withdrawal of the advertisement, and also to draw the attention of other amateur athletes I to the rule.