Sir Murray Halberg to re-live Olympic coup

Media Release

Sir Murray Halberg’s Golden Olympic Triumph 50 Years Ago to be Feature of 2010 Westpac Celebrity Sporting Functions

Auckland, 01 September 2010:

Fifty years after being part of New Zealand Olympic history, Sir Murray Halberg will re-live his fantastic 5000m winning performance from the 1960 Rome Olympics at this year’s Westpac Halberg Celebrity Sporting Functions.

Sharing the stage with the Halberg Trust Founder at the five functions, beginning in New Plymouth on September 30, will be Adam Hall, this country’s latest Olympic gold medallist, winner of the Slalom at the 2010 Winter Paralympic Games earlier this year in Vancouver.

It was 50 years ago to the day tomorrow, September 2 1960 on a hot afternoon in Rome, when former world mile record holder Peter Snell led the golden charge by capturing the 800m final, followed 45 minutes later by Sir Murray taking the 5,000m final.

The Halberg Trust hoped to have the two Kiwi sporting legends relive their crowded hour of golden glory 50 years on at this year’s Celebrity Sporting Functions, but due to health problems Snell was not able to make it across from his US base in Dallas.

“We know having Sir Murray and Peter recount their famous footsteps 50 years ago would have proved very popular,” says Halberg Trust CEO Steve Hall. “But with Murray and Adam sharing their respective gold medal experiences, 50 years apart, we are confident they will be a hugely exciting attraction.”

“It is hard to beat having two winners of Olympic gold medals, one from a summer and the other a winter games perspective. Adam has a very compelling story to tell and many of us witnessed his dramatic victory in the stand-up slalom at Vancouver, where he recovered from a fall close to the finish line to capture the gold medal.”

The 2010 Westpac Halberg Celebrity Sporting Functions start in New Plymouth with a luncheon on Thursday 30 September. That will be followed by a breakfast in Hamilton on Thursday October 7, a luncheon in Invercargill on Thursday October 28, in Queenstown on Friday October 29, finishing with another luncheon in Christchurch on Friday 26 November. Sir Murray and Adam Hall will speak at all five events.

Tickets for the functions are available from the Halberg Trust by calling 0880 HALBERG or emailing office@halberg.co.nz

All funds raised from the functions will support the work of the Trust in the regions by linking young people with a disability to sport and active leisure.

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