Olympic Games Track and Field Athlete, Civil Rights Figure. A five-time Australian national champion in the 200 meter, the Australian sprinter who won a silver medal in the 200 meter, became a participant in a civil rights protest at the 1968 summer Olympics in Mexico City, Mexico. Norman, a physical education teacher who is white, was wearing a human rights badge as he stood at the front of the podium in support of the two Americans who were black and their protest of racial discrimination in the United States. Tommie Smith, who led the protest, won the gold and set a world record at the games and John Carlos won the bronze medal. Smith and Carlos were shoeless and wore a black glove on their hands when they took their place on the podium. When the national anthem was played, the two bowed their heads and raised their gloved, clenched fists in the air, giving their salute to black power. Afterwards, the three were criticized and threatened for their actions. In his later years, Norman remained heavily involved in sports and in his community. In 2005, he was reunited with Smith and Carlos at San Jose State for the unveiling of a statue commemorating the 1968 protest. Norman wasnt featured for his part in the statue, for it was presented as part of Smith and Carlos being alumni of the college. His time of 20.06 seconds in the 1968 200 meter run still stands as the Australian record.
Olympic Games Track and Field Athlete, Civil Rights Figure. A five-time Australian national champion in the 200 meter, the Australian sprinter who won a silver medal in the 200 meter, became a participant in a civil rights protest at the 1968 summer Olympics in Mexico City, Mexico. Norman, a physical education teacher who is white, was wearing a human rights badge as he stood at the front of the podium in support of the two Americans who were black and their protest of racial discrimination in the United States. Tommie Smith, who led the protest, won the gold and set a world record at the games and John Carlos won the bronze medal. Smith and Carlos were shoeless and wore a black glove on their hands when they took their place on the podium. When the national anthem was played, the two bowed their heads and raised their gloved, clenched fists in the air, giving their salute to black power. Afterwards, the three were criticized and threatened for their actions. In his later years, Norman remained heavily involved in sports and in his community. In 2005, he was reunited with Smith and Carlos at San Jose State for the unveiling of a statue commemorating the 1968 protest. Norman wasnt featured for his part in the statue, for it was presented as part of Smith and Carlos being alumni of the college. His time of 20.06 seconds in the 1968 200 meter run still stands as the Australian record.
Bio by: Allcalmap
Family Members
Parents
Advertisement
See more Norman memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
