Athletics: Stars honour brightest of all

By AINSLEY THOMSON

It was an event John Walker described as "an evening never to be repeated".

New Zealand sporting stars and champion runners from around the world gathered at the Sheraton Hotel in Auckland last night to pay tribute to the 51-year-old Walker - the hero of New Zealand running.

Walker, who has Parkinson's disease, said he was humbled to be honoured by his peers and to have so many sporting heroes together in one room.

The evening was a wonderful occasion to catch up with his great running rivals Sebastian Coe (now Lord Coe) and Steve Ovett, who had come from overseas, he said.

Coe, who took Walker's world mile record in 1979, said the trio were not delving into their running history or getting sentimental - they were just pleased to be in each other's company.

Ovett, who won the 800m gold medal at the Moscow Olympics, said he was enjoying having so many of his old friends together in one room.

The accolades for Walker flowed from sporting greats such as equestrian Mark Todd and cricketer Sir Richard Hadlee.

All Black great Fred Allen described Walker, who won the 1500m Olympic gold medal in 1976, as "a mighty man - an outstanding athlete who has faced up to things brilliantly".

Also at the event, which was raising money for the Variety children's charity and the Parkinson Society of Auckland, were Allison Roe, Rod Dixon and Dick Quax, other star athletes from a golden age in New Zealand running two decades ago.

Walker's daughter, Elizabeth, sang the National Anthem and other songs.

She said her father had been excited and a "little nervous" about the dinner.