[fairyflossfart]

I think it definitely should be made part of the uniform.
However IMO what he did was wrong as it is against the rules. I can understand why he did it though.
DD as a state rep and an australian/nsw rep in america had a uniform and was required to wear it and not differentiate from it. Because there are consequences.
Every weekend she is required to wear her club polo, black pants, black shoes and uniform tracksuit jacket with optional uniform hoodie if it is cold enough.

[amaza]

It actually is against the Australian Olympic Committee rules. The rule is that they must wear the official uniform to their events. The t-shirt he was wearing is not a part of the official uniform.

The IOC has a rule that states nobody is allowed 'demonstrations or political, religious or racial propaganda at any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.' I don't think that he demonstrates any of those by wearing that shirt. Racial possibly but not racist by any means. I don't understand what rule he has actually broken but they say he has.

I hope he isn't sanctioned for it. I don't think he did anything wrong from the IOC point of things. He certainly broke the AOC rule though by not wearing the offiicial uniform.

[Blossom77]

I would still find it inappropriate as part of our uniform as it doesn't represent the whole population of our country just a certain part of it. Unless the uniform was made up of flags representing every nationality that lives here. Now that would be a bright and colourful costume.

Would you say the Union flag on our flag represents the whole population of our country or just a certain part of it? Or do you think it says something important about our history as a nation - in which case, can't the same be said about the Aboriginal flag?

[ambwrose]

Just a quick point about Kathy Freeman and the Aboriginal flag. Did you notice that she didn't wear the Chinese flag? Why is one part of her heritage more important than another?

To me all of any ones heritage is important and should be celebrated,but there is a time and place for it. And in trying out for the Olympices an athlete agrees to the rules invoved with the Olympice including the uniform code.

Margaret

[howdo]

Of course the aboriginal flag is a political agenda. Therefore it breaks IOC rules for wearing it during an Olympic event.

Fair call.

Why should it be incorporated into the uniform? Not all athletes are indigenous anymore than all athletes have Chineses heritage. Australia currently has an official uniform and an official flag. Whether or not the flag has the union jack on it is irrelevant it's the current official flag of the recognized Olympic nation so it's the flag an Aussie athlete must use regardless of heritage.

[AvadaKedavra]

Rules shmules. People who say 'but it's not the ruuuules' are missing the whole point of what such an action represents. Or that many rules are dumb and wrong. The IOC cared only because it contravened sponsorship rules. Many people think the IOC have taken the rules way too far. A mum and dad kebab stand in London called 'Olympic kebabs' for 20 years asked to paint over their sign? Athletes told what water they can and can't drink in public? All in support of sponsors who din't even turn up to the games? What happened to the spirit of amateur competition? So anyway, did this action diminish the advertising rights of the sponsors one iota? I don't think so. So I couldn't care less about the 'rules' in this instance.

The second question is the philosophical one about whether indigenous people should celebrate their heritage in an international stage in this manner. Let's keep in mind the significant ongoing disenfranchisement of indigenous people, teir poor educational opportunities and outcomes, their poor health opportunities and outcomes. Are we as a nation in fact cohesive? Do we provide equally for everyone? Does the country and l it's emblems including its uniforms and flags represent and support all of us equally? I would argue not. Therefore, while I would never argue that ALL indigenous people feel greater affinity with their heritage than the wider Australia one, many do. So by all means let them express it. Does celebrating their indigenous background diminish their 'Australian-ness'? I personally would argue it jut highlights an additional, oft-forgotten aspect of it.

Finally, given the poor education, health and social outcomes of many indigenous communities, indigenous people who have achieved at high levels SHOULD highlight that achievement - they are an important role model to their community.

I honestly cannot see any valid reason for objecting to this.

[casime]

I don't agree with it, and I think it seems more like attention seeking than pride in their heritage. I think there are far more appropriate ways to demonstrate it than a cheap stunt. Wear a pendant or wristband, get a tattoo, tell reporters that you're proud to represent your community, but don't resort to cheap stunts.

Perhaps if it is an issue that enough feel strongly about, the AOC could offer athletes the opportunity to have a small aboriginal flag embroidered somewhere on their jacket.

[MrsLexiK]

14791083[/url]']
It's all about the IOC rules -- which I'm sure have absolutely nothing to do with a negative attitude to Indigenous Australians and everything to do with wanting to make sure that dissident groups from a number of countries around the world don't turn the olympics into their own personal political platform. I can't imagine that this can be dealt with by anything other than a blanket ruling. I can remember how politicised the games were in the days off the eastern bloc -- would hate to see a return to that.

I like seeing the Aboriginal athletes with both flags but, given the above, I think the olympics probably isn't the place for it.

I agree with the above, he wast wearing his uniform end of story.

14791103[/url]']
Just a quick point about Kathy Freeman and the Aboriginal flag. Did you notice that she didn't wear the Chinese flag? Why is one part of her heritage more important than another?

To me all of any ones heritage is important and should be celebrated,but there is a time and place for it. And in trying out for the Olympices an athlete agrees to the rules invoved with the Olympice including the uniform code.

Margaret

That is a good point you have made.

[matt1972]

Just a quick point about Kathy Freeman and the Aboriginal flag. Did you notice that she didn't wear the Chinese flag? Why is one part of her heritage more important than another?
Margaret

Is Cathy Freeman a role model for Chinese people? Does she do community work in far flung Chinese communities? Are there a lot of Chinese people who hold her up as something to aspire to?
It is an idiotic argument to say that Cathy Freeman is representative of the Chinese community.

So what happened? There wasn't a link in the original post?

ETA link http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/lond...6-1226439805703

This post has been edited by matt1972: 01/08/2012, 07:57 AM

[BetteBoop]

Rules shmules. People who say 'but it's not the ruuuules' are missing the whole point of what such an action represents. Or that many rules are dumb and wrong. The IOC cared only because it contravened sponsorship rules. Many people think the IOC have taken the rules way too far. A mum and dad kebab stand in London called 'Olympic kebabs' for 20 years asked to paint over their sign? Athletes told what water they can and can't drink in public? All in support of sponsors who din't even turn up to the games? What happened to the spirit of amateur competition? So anyway, did this action diminish the advertising rights of the sponsors one iota? I don't think so. So I couldn't care less about the 'rules' in this instance.

The second question is the philosophical one about whether indigenous people should celebrate their heritage in an international stage in this manner. Let's keep in mind the significant ongoing disenfranchisement of indigenous people, teir poor educational opportunities and outcomes, their poor health opportunities and outcomes. Are we as a nation in fact cohesive? Do we provide equally for everyone? Does the country and l it's emblems including its uniforms and flags represent and support all of us equally? I would argue not. Therefore, while I would never argue that ALL indigenous people feel greater affinity with their heritage than the wider Australia one, many do. So by all means let them express it. Does celebrating their indigenous background diminish their 'Australian-ness'? I personally would argue it jut highlights an additional, oft-forgotten aspect of it.

Finally, given the poor education, health and social outcomes of many indigenous communities, indigenous people who have achieved at high levels SHOULD highlight that achievement - they are an important role model to their community.

I honestly cannot see any valid reason for objecting to this.

Yep.

If I was indigenous I would be intensely proud of my heritage and use any opportunity to promote the positives on a world stage.

They get enough negative publicity from the 'black armband' media in this country that any opportunity to show another side should be grabbed with both hands.