Peter Norman, left, makes a stand. Photo: AP
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, who won silver in the 200 metres, stood 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.
Today, Federal Parliament will debate Labor MP Andrew Leigh's motion to apologise to Norman. Dr Leigh, the MP 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''. ''I wish more kids knew about it,'' Dr Leigh said.
''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.''
AAP
