THE MORNING HERALD APRIL 28-29, 2018 44 Sport

Maker, Dellavedova still in the hunt Kickert follows Bogut to Kings Australian duo Thon Maker and Matthew Dellavedova BASKETBALL haven’t slowed in their recruitment drive remain alive in the NBA play-offs after the Milwaukee Bucks defeated in the wake of ’s signing, adding captain Daniel Aron Baynes’ Boston Celtics 97-86 to send their first-round series to a Kickert on a two-year deal. Kickert joins on the back of two historic game seven decider. Bucks coach Joe Prunty elevated Maker to the seasons with the Bullets, bolstering a squad already being tagged as starting line-up and the 21-year-old delivered the energy his team the best in NBL history. Australian NBA championship winner and needed in Milwaukee on Thursday to tie the series at 3-3 and set up former No.1 draft pick Bogut was confirmed as a Kings player on Saturday’s (Sunday 10am AEST) game in Boston. Maker had four Tuesday, joining former league MVPs and Kevin Lisch. points and grabbed seven rebounds, some at crucial points in the Boomers stalwart Kickert said: ‘‘I’m unbelievably excited to be involved game, while Dellavedova had three points and six assists. in what the Sydney Kings are doing on and off the floor.’’

Andrew Webster Chief Sports Writer

t doesn’t always happen but history usually squares the ledger sooner or later. In the case of the late Peter Norman, Iit has taken 50 years. On Saturday, at the AOC’s annual general meeting in Sydney, the silver medallist from the men’s at the 1968 City Olympics will receive the Order of Merit alongside Raelene Boyle, Shane Gould, Ian Thorpe and . The Order of Merit is the AOC’s highest honour. It is awarded at the discretion of president John Coates and his executive to those who have provided ‘‘exceptional merit’’ in the sporting world, through either personal achievement or by having a broader influence. Exceptional: Peter Norman (No.111) takes the silver medal in the men’s 200 metres at the 1968 Olympics. Photo: Getty Images ‘A blue-eyed white guy by the name of Peter Norman ... they tried to whitewash him as if he didn’t exist’

The significance of Norman told Carlos underneath the Estadio day of Norman’s funeral, as Peter ‘‘Until I watched the award will be announced at posthumously receiving the award Olı´mpicominutes before the medal Norman Day. Last week, his part documentary, I didn’t know or Saturday’s AGM. Does this move should not be lost. In the eyes of ceremony, later pinning an was further recognised with the understand just how revered Peter finally right a wrong? many people, including Norman’s Olympic Project for Human Rights unveiling of a statue at the Museum is in the US and not just by Tommie ‘‘A blue-eyed white guy by the family, it is long overdue recognition badge to his green-and-gold of African American History in Smith and but in name of Peter Norman ... they tried of a unique athlete and man largely Australian tracksuit in support. Washington. Yet his story is only statues and museums,’’ Coates to whitewash him as if he didn’t forgotten by his own country. Given the palpable tension in just starting to gain the traction at told Fairfax Media. ‘‘Smith and exist,’’ Carlos said at a function in In Mexico City, he split US track Mexico City at the time about black home that it deserves. Carlos weren’t invited to the White the US earlier this month. stars and John athletes using the world’s biggest House with their teammates after Norman’s story is slowly but Carlos with his signature burst of stage to launch a protest – and the he AOC has long been the games as they were expelled surely being dragged into the light slingshot speed off the turn to threat from unpopular IOC accused of not only not from the village. Obama rectified in this country. I have been working snatch silver in 20.06 seconds – an president Avery Brundage to send T recognising Norman but this during his presidency. on his biography for the past year Australian record that still stands anyone home if they did – it blackballing him, including his ‘‘While the AOC has nothing to or so. The book will be released by half a century later. would’ve been easier for Norman to non-selection for the team that rectify in terms of our treatment of Pan Macmillan later this year. More than that, he is not take part. To alert authorities competed at the 1972 Olympic Peter at the time, I suggest we have His story is complex and layered, remembered as ‘‘that white guy’’ to what was brewing. But he didn’t. Games in Munich and any been negligent in not recognising much like the man himself. Winning on the victory dais as Smith and Smith and Carlos have never involvement in celebrations him as a very great and significant silver, standing on that dais, being Carlos made a solemn protest forgotten that. Once sworn enemies around the Sydney Olympics in Australian Olympian. part of such a significant part of that’s become one of the most on the track, they became close 2000 – something Coates has ‘‘To recognise Peter, I have history, changed Norman in many famous images in modern times. friends until Norman’s death from a passionately disputed. recommended that we ways – for better and worse. As the Star Spangled Banner heart attack in 2006. Each time they Earlier this week, he was in posthumously award him our There are varying accounts played, Smith and Carlos each speak about the so-called ‘‘Black in his role as IOC vice-president Order of Merit during this 50-year about whether he was unfairly raised a fist in the air, both of them Power salute’’, they mention overseeing work on venues before anniversary of the Mexico Games.’’ overlooked for Munich, including wearing black leather gloves, to Norman’s role. Consequently, Peter the 2020 Olympics. He watched an Coates emailed the AOC the qualifying times he ran. bring attention to the appalling lack Norman is revered and respected by NBC documentary – which is executive about giving Norman the No male sprinters were selected of basic equal rights being afforded many in US sport. narrated by tennis legend Serena Order of Merit alongside Boyle, for Munich but his coach, the African-Americans at home. The US Williams – about the 50th Gould, Thorpe and Freeman. The legendary Neville Sillitoe, remains They were booed, they feared Federation declared October 9, the anniversary of the 1968 Olympics. executive agreed and Norman’s adamant Norman was snubbed for their lives, they were sent home because of his stance in Mexico City. and it took decades for their brave In 2012, Canberra MP Andrew act, which continues to echo Leigh successfully passed a motion through all manner of sports and of apology in federal parliament the actions of black athletes such for his ‘‘treatment upon his return as Colin Kaepernick, to be to and the failure to fully appropriately recognised. recognise his inspirational role Smith and Carlos have argued before his untimely death in 2006’’. since then that their protest might But even then he softened the never have happened without apology around Norman’s exclusion Norman, whose upbringing in the because of the lack of clarity around Salvation Army in had what happened in 1972. taught him the importance of Plans are currently afoot among treating people equally. members of Norman’s family to ‘‘I’ll stand with you,’’ Norman Principle: Tommie Smith and John Carlos carry Peter Norman’s coffin, and a statue depicting the salute. Photo: AAP build a statue of him in Melbourne. 1HERSA1 A044