Salute

Synopsis: SALUTE tells the story of Peter Norman, the Australian athlete, who stood on the podium with African-American runners Tommie Smith and John Carlos, in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, during the award ceremony for the 200 metre dash. As Smith and Carlos raised their fists in a Black Power salute, Norman stood by as a seemingly unwitting participant in a historic moment. What is less-well known is that Norman publicly and privately supported Smith and Carlos, who regard him as a brother, was reprimanded by the Australian Olympic Authority and ostracised by the Australian media. SALUTE offers a profile of Norman and offers a portrait of his life as athlete and activist, as well as looking at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics in the context of political assassinations in America, rioting in Mexico and the adoption of civil rights legislation in Australia.
Language: English
Country: Australia
Year of release: 2008
Subjects: Social Studies; Media studies
Keywords: athletics; civil rights; Olympic Games; political demonstrations; political events; Norman, Peter

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British Universities Film & Video Council