SP Newsletter No.225
On the eve of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing there is a lot of talk about China, politics and sport. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Chinese regime tell us that the Olympics are neutral and only about sport, not politics. But a look back in time tells us something different.

In fact many Olympiads have been surrounded by political controversy: Berlin 1936, Munich 1972, Mexico City 1968, Moscow 1980 and Los Angeles 1984 to name just a few. But perhaps the most politically overt statement made at an Olympic Games was when American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos performed the Black Power salute on the medal podium at the 1968 Games in Mexico City. This was an anti racist and pro civil rights protest.

Smith had won the 200 metre race, with Australia’s Peter Norman coming second, Carlos came in third. When the three went to collect their medals at the podium the two American athletes (who were influenced by the Black Panthers) wore a single black glove and received their medals shoeless. This was to symbolise black poverty. Smith wore a black scarf around his neck to represent black pride and Carlos wore beads. All three athletes also wore Olympic Project for Human Rights badges.

What is less known is that Norman not only donned the badge but he also suggested that Smith and Carlos share the black gloves used in their salute. When asked about his support of Smith and Carlos’ protest, Norman said he supported their cause and also opposed his own government’s White Australia policy.

The picture of the three on the podium with Smith and Carlos giving the salute with their heads bowed made front page news around the world. Subsequently the IOC ordered that Smith and Carlos be suspended from the US team and banned from the Olympic Village. This led to the two athletes being expelled from the Games.

Smith and Carlos were ostracised by the US sporting establishment in the following years and were attacked in the media. Australia’s Olympic authorities reprimanded Norman and he was also ostracised by the press. Despite Norman running qualifying times for both the 100m and 200m during 1971 and 1972 the Australian Olympic track team did not send him to the 1972 Olympics. The Australian Olympic authorities also attempted to exclude Norman from the 2000 Olympics held in Sydney.

The fact that Smith, Carlos and Norman were all punished by the authorities for their views only proves that the Olympics are not at all ‘neutral’. The IOC is in fact very political. It is just that they represent the views of the establishment, the big business sponsors and the host country.

The Olympics have always been a reflection of the political situation. That is why the issues surrounding Tibet, human rights abuses and worker exploitation in China can not be separated from the 2008 Olympic Games.

SP financial appeal

SP needs $20,000. Please read this important appeal and donate now!
http://www.socialistpartyaustralia.org/archives/1446

Help the SP election campaign in Yarra

All Victorian Councils will go to the polls on November 29. SP will be running a strong campaign in the City of Yarra. We will be defending Stephen Jolly’s seat in the Langridge ward and we will also be standing Denise Dudley in the Melba ward and Anthony Main in the Nichols ward.

We will need help letterboxing, staffing the pre polling booths and on election day. We also need to raise money to pay for the campaign. If you can help in any way contact our National Office on 0396399111. For more information about our work in Yarra visit.
http://www.socialistpartyaustralia.org/council

What’s on?

YCAT Fundraising Gig in Melbourne

Some of Australia’s best acts have donated their time to help build the Yarra Campaign Against the Tunnel. The gig will feature Culture Connect with Elf Transporter plus School of Dub, Natty Sistren and DJVJ. 8pm Friday August 8 at The Laundry, 50 Johnston St Fitzroy. This night will be big!

SP Public Meeting in Melbourne – Venezuela & Socialism in the 21st century!

Socialist Party member Denise Dudley has just returned from a trip to Venezuela. At this public meeting she will report on the struggle for socialist change in Latin America.
7pm Wednesday August 13th at Trades Hall, corner of Lygon and Victoria Streets Carlton South. All Welcome. For more information contact 9639 9111.

News links

Ireland: Lisbon Treaty rejected - A harbinger of change!
http://www.socialistworld.net/eng/2008/08/01irelaa.html

Italy: Crucial congress of Rifondazione Comunista rejects former leadership
http://www.socialistworld.net/eng/2008/07/31italya.html

Pakistan: Telecom workers win strike with 35% increase in the wages
http://www.socialistworld.net/eng/2008/07/31pakisa.html

Join the Socialist Party

If you agree with what you have read in our newsletter or on our website you should consider joining SP. The Socialist Party has branches in Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle and Perth as well as members and supporters in all other states.

We are involved in trade union work and student work. We also run community, anti-war and environmental campaigns. But most of all we want to build a party that will fight to get rid of the capitalist system, the system that is at the root of all of these problems. We fight for socialism - a system that will bring an end to wars, poverty and environmental destruction. To join SP contact our National Office on 03 9639 9111 and we will send you a membership application form.

Subscribe to ‘The Socialist’ newspaper!

Support the Socialist Party by subscribing to our monthly newspaper ‘The Socialist’. Subscription rates are only $10 per year or $20 solidarity price. You will receive 11 copies per year delivered to your door every month. You will also receive our email newsletter every week and you will know that you are supporting an organisation that is at the fore of fighting against the capitalist system. To subscribe to ‘The Socialist’ contact our National Office on 03 9639 9111 and we will send you a subscription form.

Socialist Party contact details

Melbourne: Phone Anthony on 0396399111.
Sydney: Phone Gary on 0297287727.
Newcastle: Phone Samantha on 0249681545.
Perth: Phone John on 0894020728.
Rest of Australia: Phone our National Office on 0396399111.
Rest of the world: Phone our International Office on ++ 44 20 8988 8760.

The Socialist Party is the Australian section of the Committee for a Workers’ International (CWI). The CWI is organised in over 40 countries across the world.

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