Dick Tayler: Games need to be cut back to survive

Dick Tayler wins the 10,000m race at Queen Elizabeth II Park in Christchurch in 1974. Photo / Supplied

Opinion

My fingers are crossed for New Delhi, hoping that they run a successful and happy Commonwealth Games.

They have had well-documented problems leading into the opening ceremony on Sunday and I know there are those suggesting the end of the Commonwealth Games as a relevant international event is not far away.

I disagree. There is certainly a place for them, they provide a platform for athletes across the sporting spectrum to test themselves. But times change.

In the 1970s, there were no world championships, as there are nowadays. Athletes today have so many events for which they must aim to peak and it is challenging.

But the Games must adapt to changing circumstances. They have become cumbersome in size and scale, and, much as I love team sports, I'd be inclined to drop them from the Olympic and Commonwealth programmes.

The Olympic and Commonwealth Games were always intended to be a movement about man vs man, woman vs woman.

Now is the time the Games must be streamlined. If we can scale them down I believe the Commonwealth Games will survive.

Even now, 36 years on, people talk to me about the 1974 Games in Christchurch. They were happy days - tremendous fun in our summer - and it still stands out as among the very best Games meetings.

I remember in August 1973, Sir Ron Scott, the head of the organising committee, saying how important it was for a New Zealander to do well early in the Games to spark New Zealand interest. It just happened to be me, when I won the gold in the 10,000m on the opening day of the track and field programme.

That got Kiwis interested and believing their athletes could compete against the world's best and succeed.

There were world champions and world record holders in Christchurch, people like Jamaican sprinter Don Quarrie; Filbert Bayi, who had such a marvellous 1500m final against John Walker, when both recorded world records; another world record holder in England's David Bedford, who was going to beat everyone in the 10,000m, including the celebrated Kenyan runners; Olympic champions such as pentathlete Mary Peters.

It was right up to the best world standards. They were special. Colour television had just arrived and I believe that was significant in heightening the interest.

I have sympathy for New Delhi when I hear about the top athletes who have withdrawn. It is a tricky business for athletes, balancing health concerns against the desire to compete at a Games.

As for hosting the Games in New Delhi, I firmly believe it must be shared around.

In 1968, the Olympics were hosted by Mexico City, that brought problems for athletes who had to compete at high altitude.

Athletes must adapt accordingly to where they are competing. All countries deserve a shot at hosting the Games; the big issue is the financial cost involved and there are only so many countries that can bear that burden. I'm looking forward to the spectacle. I'll have an eye on the track and field programme in particular - that's always a great spectacle.

My thoughts will be with those New Zealand athletes. I hope they succeed, just as I hope the Games are a success for the people of New Delhi.