Snell to return to competition

New Zealand’s greatest Olympian, Sir Peter Snell, is coming home to compete one last time.

Health permitting, Sir Peter, 77, has confirmed to Fairfax Media he hopes to kill two birds with one stone on a trip back to New Zealand next year and compete in the World Masters Games in Auckland (April 21-30), as well as officially hand over the collection of his Olympic gold medals and memorabilia he is donating to the Te Papa national museum in Wellington.

‘‘It will be perfect timing to be able to do both. But that is going to be dependent on how the health holds up. I have my ups and downs,’’ Snell says from his home in Dallas.

‘‘But that’s my ideal scenario. I don’t want to get expectations too high, and I’ll probably have to leave it as late as next year to decide finally.’’

However, for those hoping to catch one last glance of Snell gliding round the athletics track, there will be disappointment with the Kiwi sporting legend confirming he is no longer up to the demands of the pursuit in which he made his name.

‘‘I’m working hard on my table tennis,’’ he confirmed. ‘‘The two sports I can play − and that’s what it boils down to − are golf and table tennis. And I can’t play golf unless I’m able to ride in a cart. But table tennis is all right. Amongst my peer group I

‘‘I'm working hard on my table tennis’’

Sir Peter Snell

can handle that.

‘‘It’s a very skilful activity. I’ve been quite impressed how the good players are able to control the ball, and I’m working hard on being able to do that.’’

Snell, of course, was a very good tennis player in his younger days, as well as a member of the rugby first XV at Mount Albert Grammar, but before long had to forego all other pursuits to concentrate on his running.

He won gold in the 800m at the 1960 Olympics in Rome and then followed that up by completing the 800-1500m double at the ‘64 Games in Tokyo − still considered New Zealand’s finest body of work at the quadrennial global gathering.

The septuagenarian confirmed his health at present, like his pingpong, was on the improve.

‘‘I had a couple of days in hospital not too long ago and they put me on a new drug to help control my atrial fibrillation. It’s made quite a difference and I feel fortunate there are these medicines around now that are quite helpful.’’

Snell, meanwhile, has endorsed the claims of sprinting great Usain Bolt as the world’s greatest Olympian in the wake of the Rio Games.