Peter Norman Obituary, Death – We have learned with tremendous sorrow about the passing of one of our wonderful triathlon friends, and our hearts are broken.
Wrexham Tri Club member Peter Norman, who died away recently, was a triathlete. He competed in a number of our competitions, and he did so with a cheery disposition and a wry grin on his face at all times. Everyone at @uktri will mourn his passing in a profound way. Norman’s journey to greatness began on the track, where his natural talent for sprinting quickly caught the attention of coaches and fellow athletes. Throughout his career, he exemplified unwavering dedication, becoming one of Australia’s most prominent sprinters in the 1960s and early 1970s.
However, it was during the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City that Peter Norman etched his name into the annals of history. In the 200-meter race, he sprinted to a remarkable second-place finish, securing a silver medal and setting an Australian record that still stands to this day. But it wasn’t just his athletic prowess that made headlines; it was his profound act of solidarity and support for fellow athletes John Carlos and Tommie Smith that would resonate for generations to come. During the medal ceremony, as the U.S. national anthem played, Norman stood tall alongside Carlos and Smith, who had won gold and bronze respectively.
While they each wore black gloves and raised their fists in a symbol of the civil rights movement and to protest racial injustice in America, Norman stood in solidarity with them by wearing an Olympic Project for Human Rights badge on his chest. His powerful display of unity and empathy for the cause was an act of immense courage and solidarity, which was met with both applause and criticism upon his return to Australia. Despite his extraordinary athletic achievements and advocacy for justice, Norman faced consequences for his actions upon returning to his home country. The Australian sports establishment shunned him, and he was not selected to represent Australia in subsequent Olympics, despite consistently meeting the qualifying standards.
