New Zealand Olympic champion Sir Murray Halberg, 79, is recovering from a heart attack in July and has pulled out of a social event next week in Auckland ahead of the 1500m final at the London Olympics.
In what became known as the golden hour of New Zealand sport, Halberg won gold over 5000m at the Rome Olympics in 1960, half an hour after Sir Peter Snell took out the 800m title.
Halberg was to appear at a breakfast event for Olympic champions at SkyCity in Auckland next Wednesday. The event co-incides with the pre-race buildup for the 1500m final at the London Olympics.
Beijing silver medallist Nick Willis is through to the semi-final of the 1500m in London.
Sir John Walker, who won gold in the 1500m at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, is also attending the event in Auckland and Snell is speaking via a video link.
Halberg's wife, Lady Phyllis, said he is longer able to attend but is progressing well, media reported.
"He's watching the Olympics, don't you worry about that. He wants to congratulate all the team and he feels very proud that they're doing so well," Lady Phyllis said.
NZN