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mexico 1968

October 16: Three Proud People. Mexico 68.

Yesterday was the 41st anniversary of the final of the men's 200 metres in the track and field competition at the Mexico City Olympic Games. The result - gold Tommie Smith, silver Peter Norman, bronze John Carlos - is less memorable than the powerful political protest made on the medal dais afterwards.

Peter Norman 1942-2006

Peter Norman died in Melbourne yesterday at the age of 64. He should be regarded as one of Australia's greatest sporting legends. He probably won't be.

At a time when Australia's prowess on the athletics track was in decline, Norman's crowning achievement was to win the silver medal in the 200 metres at the Mexico Olympics in 1968. The gold medallist in that event was Tommie Smith, the bronze medallist John Carlos.

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