| | Reuters
SYDNEY -- Aborigines applauded the IOC
for allowing Australia's black athlete Cathy Freeman to light
the Olympic cauldron at Sydney's opening ceremony on Friday.
The leader of Australia's top Aboriginal body, Geoff
Clarke, said the International Olympic Committee had taught the
Australian government a lesson on respecting Aboriginal people
and their ancient culture.
|  | | Cathy Freeman stands with the Olympic torch after lighting the flame at the opening ceremonies Friday night |
Clarke said the involvement of Aborigines in the ceremony
and IOC chairman Juan Antonio Samaranch's praise of Aborigines
were a major step toward reconciling race relations in
Australia.
"I think this is an absolute endorsement of Aboriginal
people and culture by the international community," said Clarke,
chairman of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Commission.
"In fact, respect was given by the IOC on a number of
occasions during the opening ceremony. The smoking ceremony
cleansed the traditional land and Aboriginal ladies dancing
acknowledged Aboriginal songs and dance," said Clarke.
"Samaranch also gave a personal acknowledgement to
Aboriginal people," he said.
In his speech at the opening ceremony Samaranch made a
special mention of the contribution to Australian life made by
the country's indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Strait
islanders. But the biggest accolade was to come at the end of the
spectacular ceremony, which opened with a haunting Aboriginal
"Dreaming" story.
Celebrating 100 years of women in the Olympics a series of
veteran female Australian Olympians, such as swimmer Dawn
Fraser and sprinter Betty Cuthbert, carried the Olympic flame
around the stadium. All five women were white Australians.
When the flame was handed to world 400 meters champion
Freeman, a softly spoken, skinny Aboriginal girl from rural
Australia, the crowd erupted in applause.
"That was a major step towards reconciliation," said
Clarke. "The lesson tonight for this government and politicians in
this country is to learn how to respect Aboriginal people. It is now up to Prime Minister John Howard to act."
Aborigines say Howard's government has white-washed
Australia's history of abuse and injustice against Aborigines,
who make up 2.1 percent, or around 400,000, of Australia's 19
million population and have a life expectancy 20 years less
than other Australians.
Howard has steadfastly refused to apologize for past
atrocities inflicted on aborigines. | |
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