Peter Norman may receive apology

19 Aug 2012, 2:10 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Peter Norman (L) may receive a posthumous apology over the Black Power protest at the 1968 Olynpics. (AAP)

Peter Norman (L) may receive a posthumous apology over the Black Power protest at the 1968 Olynpics. (AAP)

An apology may be on the way for the late sprinter Peter Norman, who was blacklisted for his part in the Black Power protest at the 1968 Olympic Games.

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Blacklisted for his involvement in the Black Power protest at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, the late Australian sprinter Peter Norman may receive an apology from the Australian parliament.

Norman won silver in the 200m sprint in Mexico City, still an Australian record, but he will be better remembered for standing alongside gold medallist Tommie Smith and bronze medallist John Carlos wearing the Olympic Project for Human Rights badge while they gave a Black Power salute.

The sprinter was punished for his involvement and blacklisted for the 1972 Munich Games, despite qualifying. He quit athletics in protest.

Norman died in 2006 with Smith and Carlos giving eulogies at his funeral.

On Monday, parliament will debate Labor MP Andrew Leigh's motion to apologise to Norman.

Dr Leigh, the member for the Canberra seat of Fraser, wants parliament to recognise Norman's extraordinary athletic achievements and bravery and apologise to him for not sending him to Munich. He will also move that the House of Representatives "belatedly recognises the powerful role that Peter Norman played in furthering racial equality".

Norman's daughter said she had tears in her eyes when she heard about the proposed apology.

"Words can't really express the pride and emotion that comes with reading your compassionate words," Emma Norman wrote on Dr Leigh's parliamentary website.

"On behalf of the Norman family and of course our dad, thank you, thank you very much."

Norman's mother said she was so proud of the stand her son took that day.

"The Olympic Games always have special memories for us, I'm glad that he may be recognised at last for Peter's commitment to sport here in Australia," Thelma Norman wrote on the website.

Thelma Norman, who is 91, and her daughter Elaine Ambler are flying to Canberra to see the matter being debated during question time.

Dr Leigh said it was an important Australian story.

"I wish more kids knew about it," he told AAP on Sunday.

"It's funny, so many more people know that story about Dawn Fraser stealing a flag than they do about Peter Norman taking a stand for civil rights."

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Your Comments

Salute to Peter Norman

Meagan - from Box Hill, 9 months ago

I have just come home from London for the Olympics and Salute the movie was playing in cinema's in London at the same time. I couldn't resist so I took all of my UK buddies and they cried at the end of the remarkable film. I think Matt Norman is the nephew of Peter who directed and produced the film. Only last week, Salute was number one on Amazon UK on DVD which makes me wonder if this had something to do with the apology. I found salutethemovie.com

Stuff the politics

MT - from Albury, 9 months ago

Olympics are for elite sporting competition, not politics. No matter how noble Peter's cause was, it is frustrating to me that past Olympics have been littered with boycotts and political acts that people feel are extremely important at the time, but history often finds pointless and annoying. I'm sure some athletes in boycotting teams would remain forever disappointed at not competing for their country. People should find another avenue for expressing political views please!

Nonsense

Ken - from Melbourne, 9 months ago

There are far more important things for this parliament to be discussing than nonsense like this. Get on with managing the country.

Politics in Olympics? Surely not!

John - from Sydney, 9 months ago

Not too long ago a number of people used the excuse that the Olympics are not political to refute the idea of a memorial for the victims of the Munich Olympics massacre, it will be interesting to see if the same people object to this 'political' action regarding the Olympics. I'll bet they won't... Because the left is all in favour of human rights unless the humans are Jews.

Peter Norman

Peter Walsh - from Casino NSW, 9 months ago

I think the family of PETER NORMAN should tell the people of Australia to leave well enough alone. An apology from the Olympic Committee is an insult. A more meaningless gesture from a self serving bunch of toadies I would never have seen.

Peter Norma

Craig - from Adelaide, 9 months ago

About time. He was a great Australian and lets face it he was on the right side of history supporting the racial struggle in the USA. The Olympics are meant to be non political but the countries and the Olympic movement make it political. Australians should apologize to his family immediately.

Ms

Catherine Holder - from Hawthorndene, SA, 9 months ago

At Last! Peter Norman was a true Australian hero. Thank you Dr Andrew Leigh

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