MORE than a century of sporting hypocrisy will be swept away on
January 1 and 2 when Meadowbank's professional athletics meeting goes
truly open, burying a rivalry between amateur and professional which
dates back to a series of betting scandals and brawls last century.
The world governing body of athletics, the International Amateur
Athletic Federation, has cleared Scottish runners of both codes to
compete together, an arrangement which has prevailed in Australia for a
decade.
Bob Greenoak, the Scottish Athletic Federation secretary, who reached
agreement with his professional counterparts in the Scottish Games
Association almost a year ago, said last night: ''The British Athletic
Federation have faxed me the news from the IAAF, and we await written
confirmation. Subject to final agreement with the SGA, which I believe
is a formality, amateurs can run in the New Year meeting.''
Frank Hanlon, the event's promoter, is prepared to delay the draw,
scheduled for Wednesday, to allow amateurs to enter.
Elliot Bunney, the reigning Scottish 100 metres champion and 1988
Olympic relay silver medallist, said he hopes to take part in the chase
for the record #4000 first prize. But there is no prospect of Olympic
champion Linford Christie joining him on the historic day. ''I am
leaving to train in Australia immediately after Christmas,'' says
Christie.
If an amateur were to win, the money would be paid into his trust
fund. Betting will be allowed, even though this was part of the
stumbling block down the years.
Bunney, who has a best time of 10.20sec., and who has won the Scottish
title five times in the past seven years, was delighted at the news. ''I
have never understood the divisions between the two codes, and found it
strange,'' he said. ''I had been gearing up for the indoor season, and
this will help, but to be truthful, a month is not enough notice to
prepare properly.''
Bunney's coach, Bob Inglis, reckons this will be: ''no more than a run
up the track, to celebrate this anachronism being washed away.'' But
nine of his squad of leading amateurs, including internationalist women
Emma Lindsay and Ruth Girvin, may join Bunney.
Ming Campbell MP, the former British 100m champion, now honorary
president of the SAF, welcomed the news, saying: ''I have long been an
advocate of open athletics. In a country like Scotland it made no sense
whatsoever to have divisions between those whose adherence to the
amateur code was often a matter of accident rather than choice. It has
made less and less sense for people to be classed as professionals for
accepting a fiver while others could earn thousands in appearance money
yet still be classed as amateurs.
''It strikes me as wholly artificial that as an MP I can go as
chieftain to the professional Games at Ceres and Strathmiglo, yet if I
took off my trousers and donned shorts to run I would face suspension as
an amateur.''
Tom McNab, former Scottish triple jump champion, author, and adviser
for the Oscar winning film, Chariots of Fire, has long championed
traditional pro games. ''So they've finally admitted the world is
round,'' he said.
McNab was banned for a year after having been spotted competing in the
professional gathering at Nethybridge, where he collected #5 for beating
the greatest professional jumper of the day, Tom Scott. McNab was
reinstated, but was denied the right ever to compete internationally.
George McNeill, the world professional record holder, is reckoned to
have been faster than the 1972 double Olympic champion, Valeriy Borzov,
but having briefly played professional football put the Tranent man
beyond the pale.
''I regret the fact that I never had the chance to pit myself against
George,'' said Ming Campbell. ''I had the odd feeler from the
professionals, and I would love to have tried it.''
But his style was so distinctive, as he acknowledges: ''I'd have been
spotted at once.''
One man who tried was Coatbridge heavyweight Jim Ferguson, whose
attempt to disguise himself with a bright red wig was a failure.
Ferguson also was banned. But the decision which made the amateurs look
most stupid was the banning of a 10-year-old Arbroath youngster for
accepting a packet of sweets. Meanwhile the elite of the sport were
banking thousands in appearance money.
Amateur entrants should contact Hanlon tonight or tomorrow: 031 663
6472.
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