Peter Snell masters comeback reported
Buried on Page 9 of a British running magazine is blockbuster news for world masters track — and American masters as well. Peter Snell is coming back! A three-time Olympic gold-medal winner (in the 1960 800 and 1964 800/1500) and six-time world-record setter, Snell “is to compete in the Masters Games in Dunedin in his native New Zealand next February,” according to the Masters News section of Running Fitness magazine. Snell, who turns 67 in December, has lived in the United States for more than 20 years, and is a professor of medicine in Texas.
A Web bio suggests that this would be his first competition in more than 40 years:
“In 1965, after a series of disappointing results, including a last-place finish mile finish in Vancouver while suffering a stomach ailment, Snell surprised the athletics world by announcing he would retire from competition. At age 27, with five individual world records and a relay world mark to his credit, it seemed too soon to end a brilliant career. He went on to earn a PhD in exercise physiology, later teaching and studying at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas. Snell was later named New Zealand’s Sports Champion of the 20th Century.”
Pete Mulholland, editor of the masters section of Running Fitness, writes:
“Considered by many to be the greatest middle distance runner ever, Snell has yet to decide which events he will be competing in, but whatever his decision the masters’ world awaits with great interest.”
Indeed.
Snell confirms his plans with this note on the New Zealand site:
“I am looking forward immensely to being in Dunedin in February 2006 for the ACC ThinkSafe New Zealand Masters Games.
“I think it’s a great thing that people continue to participate in sport irrespective of their age. It’s not only good for their physical wellbeing, it’s good for them mentally too-there’s nothing quite like the camaraderie of shared sporting experiences and the thrill of competition.
“In my work in the United States, I have specialised in exercise physiology for older age groups am I am utterly convinced of the benefits of continued competition: it may not be of the same ferocious competitive level of our youth, but it beats sitting around doing nothing.
“I’m conscious of how the master’s concept in sport has grown over the years and I’m looking forward to seeing a large turnout in Dunedin, which I know to be one of the two hosts (with Wanganui-a city that is dear to me for other reasons) of the New Zealand Masters Games.
“I’ll be in Dunedin for the duration of the games and, if I can, I’ll also try my hand at competition. So I urge you to join me for what I’m sure will be an enjoyable nine days.
“See you there”
I’m writing Dr. Snell immediately.
First question: Plan any U.S. warmup races?
2 Responses
What an incredible addition to our family!
Sal
ken, you forgot to mention where we could sign up to join in:
http://www.nzmastersgames.com/2006-dunedin/index.html
also note that they allow track athletes down to age 30…
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