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Australian Olympic Committee recognizes indigenous heritage

Xinhua, May 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has voted to change its constitution to recognize the heritage and culture of the indigenous people and Torrens Strait islanders at its annual general meeting on Saturday.

"To recognize the heritage, culture and contribution of our nation's first people and to give practical support to indigenous reconciliation through sport," the new passage in the AOC Constitution reads.

AOC President John Coates stressed at the meeting held in Sydney that the Australian Olympic Movement could be proud of previous recognition and support of indigenous Olympians.

"Remember, it was Cathy Freeman who lit the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney Olympics," he said.

"We also decided that the Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch Relay would commence its 27,000 kilometers passage across Australia at the ancient rock of Uluru in the presence of the traditional custodians and with a barefoot Nova Peris, joined by her nine-year-old daughter, Jessica running the first leg."

Nova Peris, Australia's first indigenous gold medalist as part of the hockey team in 1996 and elected federal senator in 2013, spoke at the meeting on behalf of the 43 indigenous Olympians and future Olympians.

"I congratulate the Australian Olympic Committee for amending your constitution to recognize the heritage, culture and contribution of our nation's first people and to include respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people - the first people of Australia - in the Australian Olympic Team values."

"This simple act today makes me proud to be an Australian, it makes me proud to be an Olympian, it makes me proud to be Aboriginal and to represent the oldest continuous living culture on earth."

She thanked the Aboriginal sporting heroes who had gone before her with special tribute top Michael Ah Matt, who also came from her hometown of Darwin, as the 'trailblazer for indigenous Olympians' when he competed in basketball at the Tokyo Games in 1964.

And to the first black women who represented Australia in sport when they played cricket internationally in 1934 and 1935.

Des Abbott (Beijing 2008, hockey bronze) and Baeden Choppy (Atlanta, hockey bronze) were the other indigenous Olympians in attendance at the meeting.

In total, eight Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have won 12 medals for Australia. The first being swimmer Samantha Riley with bronze at Barcelona 1992.

As well as the changes to the Constitution, the wording of the Team values developed by the AOC Athletes' Commission has been amended and the AOC has engaged with the Cathy Freeman Foundation and the Indigenous Marathon Project run by Robert de Castella to provide practical long-term assistance. Endit