Story: Amateurism and professionalism

Peter Snell, 1962

Peter Snell, 1962

World champion middle-distance runner Peter Snell beats fellow New Zealander John Davies in the final of the mile (1.61-kilometres) event at the 1962 Perth Empire and Commonwealth Games. Snell also won the 880 yards (805 metres). In January 1962 he had set world records for the mile and 880 yards and 800 metres in New Zealand. Snell worked for a decade for a tobacco company in a public relations role. In this era, some form of paid employment was a necessity for elite New Zealand athletes.

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How to cite this page:

Geoff Watson, 'Amateurism and professionalism - Amateurism in New Zealand', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/38002/peter-snell-1962 (accessed 2 October 2023)

Story by Geoff Watson, published 5 Sep 2013