WORLD ATHLETICS HAS NZ STRUGGLING
NZ sent its biggest and strongest team to a world track & field champs a couple of weeks ago in Bucharest. It was the 19th such event.
But NZ's 20 athletes failed to win a medal of any description during the nine-day event which was probably the most outstanding world or Olympics athletics ever staged.
The venue itself and the connecting facilities were outstanding and every day the 35,000 spectator stadium was either filled or near-filled.
A new Ussain Bolt emerged in the form of an American sprinter named Noah Lyles and he provided the spark that an event of this type needs as its brightest ultimate star.
NZ athletes were very largely disappointing. We had performer after performer failing to provide a personal best effort or even a matching personal best performance in order to secure a better placing and in several cases, gaining at least a silver or bronze medal.
These can be reeled off but include shot putter Walsh, high jumper Kerr, Javelin thrower Peeters and sprinter Hobbs.
Only women shot putter Wesche and steeplechaser Beamish produced PBs.
So let's hope for better things in less than 12 months time when the Olympic Games are held in Paris. Track & field is the supreme event of the Olympics.
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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4.7% Second half of November
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43.7% 1st December
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17.4% A week before Christmas
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33.1% Whenever you wish
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1.1% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
Moe mai rā, Nicholas.
We're sad to announce the passing of Nicholas Boyack, our Hutt Valley reporter who has long written for The Dominion Post, The Hutt News and Upper Hutt Leader.