Athletics: Christchurch wins race for Oceania event

Christchurch has been awarded the Oceania international track and field championships, to be held in December next year.

The city's application and $40,000 budget got the nod of approval from the Oceania Amateur Athletic Council at its meeting in Sydney.

That has added urgency to the Christchurch City Council's decision to replace the 10-year-old all-weather running track at QEII Park.

QEII complex manager Alan Direen yesterday confirmed that the new rubber track - expected to cost almost $1 million - would be laid in of time for the championships.

"It should be in place by Christmas," he said.

Direen said the starting time on construction would depend on the type of track. That had not yet been determined.

Athletics Canterbury spokesman John Clark said the successful bid certainly provided another incentive to get the track replaced. The present surface was in poor condition and not good enough for a meeting of Oceania status.

He was "rapt" at the success of Christchurch's bid.

"There will be lots of benefits.

"The championships will be good for athletics, and good for Christchurch.

"We haven't had an open multi-national event such as this in Christchurch since the Pacific Conference Games in 1981."

Dunedin was the other city in the race for the championships, which will be held on December 13, 14 and 15.

The championships, which will include an under-18 grade as well as the high-profile open competition, are expected to attract more than 300 athletes from 15 Pacific countries.

The Games village will be at the University of Canterbury halls of residence at Ilam.

- NZPA