Athletics Australia and the Victorian Government have partnered to create the work which recognises Peter Norman’s support for American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos during their silent civil rights protest on the medal dais at the 1968 Mexico Olympics as well as his athletic achievements.

Peter’s time of 20.06 seconds recorded when picked up a silver medal behind Tommie Smith remains the Australian record 50 years later.

Earlier this year the AOC announced a posthumous Order of Merit which was presented to members of Peter’s family in June this year.

AOC President John Coates, AC welcomed this latest recognition from Athletics Australia and the Victorian Government.

“The AOC received such positive feedback following our decision to award Peter a posthumous Order of Merit. Peter’s very proud family and Tommie Smith himself kindly acknowledged the gesture.

“His remarkable achievements as an athlete were inevitably dwarfed by his support for Tommie and John Carlos.

“Peter left us in 2006 but he has a unique place in our sporting history. It was a simple act, standing with those athletes, wearing their badge and telling them he supported them.”

Neville Sillitoe and Eloise Wellings

Athletics Australia has also adopted October 9th as Peter Norman Day and have inaugurated a Peter Norman Humanitarian Award.

The inaugural recipient is two-times Olympian, distance runner Eloise Wellings for her work with the Love Mercy Foundation which undertakes charitable work in Uganda.

Strath Gordon
Olympics.com.au