Campaign for Peter Norman statue

Updated November 2 2012 - 10:33am, first published September 16 2008 - 1:16pm

THE Ballarat nephew of former Australian track star Peter Norman has launched a campaign to have a statue erected in his uncle's honour in Melbourne.At the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, Peter stood alongside American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos as they did the now famous black power salute on the medal dais.Forty years later, Matt Norman has started the Peter Norman Foundation in a bid to have a statue depicting the historic moment erected at the MCG."Even though Peter Norman is regarded as Australia's best sprinter in our history and he still holds the Australian and Commonwealth 200m record nearly 40 years later, there is nothing celebrating his achievements in sport and also his courage for standing up for civil and human rights with his friends Tommie Smith and John Carlos," Matt said.While America's San Jose State University is currently home to a six-metre high statue commemorating the event, it only features two people - Mr Smith and Mr Carlos."The spot where Peter should be standing is left empty for people to take that position to get photos taken with Tommie and John," Matt said."The white guy who stood up for black America again has been left out of history."The proposed statue will be the first project for the foundation, which will raise money for civil and human rights charities, and sporting charities. "Salute" - a documentary of Peter's life written, directed, and produced by Matt - opened in Australian cinemas in July.

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