“I believe that every man is born equal and should be treated that way.”
It was at the Mexico 1968 Olympic Games when Australian sprinter Peter Norman became a household name. Norman won a silver medal, and his time of 20.06 seconds over 200m still remains the Australian record today. However, it was his stand in solidarity on the dais with USA’s gold and bronze medallists Tommie Smith and John Carlos that will live on as one of Australia’s most iconic sporting moments and a historical moment worldwide.
In a controversial act at the Olympic Games, Smith and Carlos raised their fists and bowed their heads, symbolising a call for racial equality in the USA. Norman, in breach of Olympic code too, stood up for equality by wearing the badge of the Olympic Project for Human Rights – a newly formed organisation opposed to racism in sport. Today, all three athletes are regarded as heroes for sacrificing their personal glory for the cause.
Norman’s legacy as an athlete and an advocate for human rights is celebrated worldwide, with Athletics Australia and USA Track and Field adopting October 9 as Peter Norman Day as a sign of respect for the famed Australian athlete.
The Peter Norman Humanitarian Award was inaugurated by Athletics Australia in 2018 as a way to honour the legacy of Norman as both an athlete and an advocate for human rights.
Each year on October 9, a member of the Australian athletics community who exemplifies the spirit of Peter Norman through their work in human rights, equality and humanitarian causes is presented this prestigious award. The award is open to anyone within the Australian Athletics community, including athletes, coaches, volunteers, officials, team staff, AA staff or recreational runners.
The Peter Norman Humanitarian Award was inaugurated by Athletics Australia in 2018.
Previous winners include:
2018 – Eloise Wellings – founding director of Love Mercy, an organisation that empowers rural communities in Northern Uganda to overcome poverty caused by the horros of decades of civil war.
2019 – Robert De Castella – established the Indigenous Marathon Project, which uses running to celebrate Indigenous resilience and achievement, and create inspirational Indigenous leaders.
2020 – Lindsay Bunn – for his work with Indigenous and refugee youth, both in athletics and in the community, the CALD quad and continued work with remote communities.
2021 – Meriem Daoui – for her work with a number of initiatives to raise vital funds and awareness for cancer causes as well as her work with the Muslim Women in Sport Network.
Nominations are now sought from across the Australian athletics community to recognise a fellow member whose commitment to a cause would make them worthy of consideration for the award.
Any individuals or organisation may make a nomination of any other individual. An individual may also nominate themselves if they provide referee details. To be eligible the nominee must have a direct involvement in Australian athletics. This can be as an athlete, coach, administrator, official or support personnel, of any age and at any level from grassroots involvement to the elite level.
There is no set format for nominations, therefore please submit any format that best suits. As a guide, please do not exceed a typed A4 page, however this may include links or references to any relevant documents or websites.
Nominations for the award in 2022 should be addressed to Jane Flemming, Awards Committee Chair, by no later than 5pm on Friday, 16 September 2022. athletics@athletics.org.au
By Athletics Australia
Posted: 31/8/2022
