We'll be there, what happens is up to China

The Australian
Glenda Korporaal | June 21, 2008 12:00am
The issue of boycotts and protests at Olympic ceremonies is raised in a most powerful way in a new movie called Salute that premiered at the Sydney Film Festival last week. Set for national release at the end of July, the film is about "the white guy in the photo", Australian runner Peter Norman, whose amazing achievement in winning the silver medal in the men's 200m in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico has been forever overshadowed by the fact he was on the victory dais when African Americans Tommie Smith and John Carlos each raised one black-gloved fist in the air in a black-power salute.

The film is a reminder of the powerful image of the victory ceremony, which became part of the civil rights movement in the US. Made by Norman's nephew, Matt Norman, the film is a must-see for anyone interested in the Olympics or the turbulent events of 1968, which include the riots in France, the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr and the subsequent race riots in the US, and the assassination of Democratic presidential candidate Robert Kennedy.

Norman set an Olympic record of 20.2 seconds for the 200m in his heat and an Australian record of 20.06 seconds in the final that still stands today. He was co-operating with the film but had not seen the finished product when he died of a heart attack in late 2006.

First-time director Matt Norman has made a stunningly well-produced film, pulling together the official footage of all four rounds of the Olympic 200m, including the famous final.

The Games are interspersed with black and white footage of the political events of 1968 with fresh interviews with Smith, Carlos and Norman.

The film reveals how painfully difficult it was for Smith and Carlos to make what appears today as a simple gesture, each with one clenched fist in the air, heads bowed as they listened to the US national anthem, and how Norman played what could have been a pivotal role in their decision. As all three talked nervously before the medal ceremony, Norman urged the two of them to go through with their plans to use the event to make a political statement. When bronze medal winner Carlos, who had been the favourite to win and still had a big career ahead of him in track, said he did not bring his gloves, Norman was the one who suggested that they go ahead with their protest, each wearing just one glove.

Norman, who also participated in the protest by wearing an Olympic Project for Human Rights badge on the dais, received a slap on the wrist by Australian chef de mission Judy Patching, who offered him free tickets to the hockey, while Smith and Carlos were sent home in disgrace, losing their jobs and shaming their families.