Halberg Will Qualify For 5000 Metres If Asked

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30469, 17 June 1964, Page 19

Halberg Will Qualify For 5000 Metres If Asked

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) AUCKLAND, June 16. M. G. Halberg considers that the question of his nomination for the 5000 metres at the Tokyo Olympics is a matter for the national selectors and the New. Zealand Amateur Athletic Association.

He was commenting today on a report from Christchurch that the Canterbury Centre wanted to know if he intended to attempt to run a qualifying time, and if not, that A. G. Pyne, of Canterbury, should be considered.

Halberg said he had purposely not run a 5000 metres qualifying time last season because he considered there were three good runners over that distance—Pyne, W, D. Baillie and N. I. Scott. He had not wished to complicate matters for the selectors. “If it is the selectors’ wish that I participate in the 5000 metres,” he said, “I will be obliged to run a qualifying time by the end of September.” He repeated previous state-

ments he has made that the 10,000 metres is his real aim for Tokyo, even though he is the reigning 5000 metres champion.

In a letter sent to the N.Z.A.A.A., the Canterbury Centre said it had no criticism to make of either the merits or selection of the three athletes nominated for the 5000 metres event.

“It does, however, view with concern the repotted statement of Mr C. J. Thompson to the effect that all athletes who. could represent New Zealand with credit have already been selected, which is manifestly inaccurate in the light of the recent performances of Geoffrey Pyne,” said the letter.

“The centre, therefore, prefers tb believe that Mr Thompson, with his wide experience as a national selector, could not (if correctly reported) have intended that remark literally. “In consequence of the apparent misreading of the Olympic rule and the reports that Halberg has not met . the

qualifying standard and does not intend to attempt to. do so, it is felt that the selectors were placed at a disadvantage and may not have had the opportunity to view the facts as they at present appear.”