A Race to Remember

by Matt Norman

A Race to Remember is the biography of Peter Norman, the silver medal-winning white Australian who, at the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games, stood on the dais and proudly wore a civil rights badge in support of the silent protest made against racial discrimination. Alongside him, African American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos were immortalised forever as they raised their black-gloved fists into the night sky in the so-called 'Black Power' salute. The protest rocked the Olympic Movement to its very core and sent shockwaves throughout the world. Norman's life was never the same following the Olympics. He paid a heavy price for his fame and missed selection for the 1972 Olympics despite his number five world ranking. He abandoned his faith and his first wife and three young children and after suffering a horrendous injury during an ill-fated career comeback, spiralled down a path of personal destruction, leaving family and friends heartbroken. Olympian, activist, humanist, father: Peter Norman was many things to many people. Yet despite being Australia's most successful Olympic male sprinter, he has never been truly celebrated as an eminent figure of our sporting and social history – until now. A Race to Remember is the tie-in book to the major motion picture Salute. For the first time ever the full story of the protest is told with input from all three Olympic medalists.

Genres: Biography

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 21, 2008

Reviews

[James Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent history of the life of Peter Norman, especially the events surrounding the 200 meter final from the 1968 Olympics and Norman's involvement with the statement that Tommie Smith and John Carlos made. One of the defining moments in Olympic and American civil rights history assisted by a humble white athlete from Australia. If you're an Olympic fan, you will love this book.

''A lot happened back then. But the most amazing thing was, I didn't know there was a white guy who could run that fast.'' - John Carlos

[Ernest · Rating 3 out of 5]

What is an example of faith in action?

The Norman family was very active in the Salvation Army of Australia. As a youth, Peter Norman participated in many religious and social activities of the Salvation Army. He had imprinted on his track suit jacket "Jesus Saves" and "God is Love". Therefore, it is easy to understand his support for the Olympic Project for Human Rights with the simple act of wearing a button during the 1968 200 meter medal awards ceremony with Tommie Smith and John Carlos.

This biography shares the triumphs and trials of his life. It explores the 1972 Olympic trials and the possibility of his not being selected for the team. The story of his redemption is an inspiration.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

An eye opener of a novel that touches on Olympic history like no other I've read. Not only that, but also explores the inner torture of an athlete injured, an ageing athlete and an athlete caught up in beauracracy. What a fantastic read.