Comments on: G’Day World #333 – Matt Norman, Director/Producer “Salute”

By: Julie Rodgers

Julie Rodgers — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 14:03:34 +0000

I absolutely love this interview. I was in Vancouver during the Winter Olympics and this film was playing at the cinema there. At the end of the movie, Matt Norman was put up on the cinema screen LIVE on Skype from his home in Australia. he took questions from the audience and made mention of his thoughts regarding the Olympic movement in general.

My question is, why isn’t this man the prime minister of Australia yet? What an incredible speaker. He treated the packed out theater like they were sitting in his lounge room talking about injustice. I was so inspired by how passionate Matt was and how well versed at the Worlds injustices.

I bought this film recently when I was back in Australia because it STILL HASNT BEEN RELEASED in Nth America yet. For those that want to feel proud of an Auzzie hero then watch this man’s film with pride. His uncle stood up and now his nephew is doing his memory proud.

I have rambled. I just came across your site again and had to listen to him speak. Thanks for keeping it up on your site. A great interview.

By: Rae

Rae — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 04:45:11 +0000

I’ve just seen the film on DVD in NZ. This is an amazing story which I would tell anyone to watch, and Im not into sport, so that says a lot. Norman was a brave man who made an enormous personal sacrifice, along with the two black Americans, Carlos and Smith. Everyone in Australasia, let alone Australia should know this story, and it appalls me that to now I have been completely ignorant. Australian sports officials and Olympic officials and a long complicit media are responsible for some terrible injustices.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 08:25:00 +0000

I just came home from seeing this film – I was sixteen when this happened, and not very politically aware – my brother was serving in Vietnam at the time and that was all I really knew about.
I am ashamed of my lack of understanding of what Black Power was about at that time.

Thank you Matt Norman for telling us about your wonderful uncle, Peter (I heard you on Perth radio a few weeks ago, and that is why I went to the film), and these other men, Tommy Smith and John Carlos.

Shame on Sydney Olympic Committee for not including Peter Norman in the opening ceremony, shame on the Australian Olympic Committee for excluding Peter Norman from the ’72 Munich Olympics.

By: Cameron

Cameron — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:37:20 +0000

I've written some further thoughts on the Olympics.

By: TPN :: GDay World » Blog Archive » How The IOC Gags Athletes At The O-LAME-pics… and more.

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:35:57 +0000

[...] few weeks ago I had director Matt Norman on the show. We talked about political protests at the Olympics (with reference to his Uncle Peter [...]

By: Cameron

Cameron — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:04:55 +0000

Jason, thanks for clarifying that! I found this site which contains the clause in question. Basically any athlete that does speak out or even wear a badge signifying a political protest can be kicked out by the IOC. What an appalling state of affairs. The Olympics brings athletes from the world together but then gags them.

By: Jason Slater

Jason Slater — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 07:02:13 +0000

Just so you are all aware, Matt Norman made a great point in an interview i’ve just heard.. The athletes are being gagged by the AOC as they have signed what he called a section 51 which states “Athletes may speak about Political issues but if they do so will not be entitled to any financial gain through winnings from Gold, Silver or Bronze medals”. They are also entitled to speak their mind but not AT the Olympics and not AT the Olympic Village. They are also NOT allowed to wear any type of free tibet t-shirt or carry any banner which has any political affiliation. The facts are very clear. To protest in China you will never be a part of the Olympic team again and your views of civil and human rights issues will not be tolerated unless you do or say something about it outside the country.

By: Richard Giles

Richard Giles — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 13:19:55 +0000

Sure, you can speculate that that is just lip service. That’s how all good conspiracy theories start .

By: Cameron

Cameron — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 08:01:26 +0000

Yeah “entitled”… and if they do speak out, they’ll also be “entitled” to be dropped from all future teams, they’ll be “entitled” to be ignored and ostracized by the AOC.

I’m just sayin’. A press release can sound all nice and friendly but the reality is often something else.

By: Richard Giles

Richard Giles — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 06:28:38 +0000

@Rob Marayke Jonkers is very vocal, and a current Australian Paralympic Swimmer.

I’ve also heard Eamon Sullivan say he has opinions, but “chooses” not to voice them for his own reasons.

Also, this is from AOC media director Mike Tancred, “Our athletes in Beijing will be entitled to speak on any issue, including human rights.”

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 03:07:39 +0000

@Richard, I’ve seen some “Olympians” speaking out and you’d be forgiven for thinking they were current Olympians but, in all the cases I’ve seen, they haven’t been. Saw one young lass the other day, promoting a t-shirt that the FreeTibert people would like athletes to wear during the games. Anyway, long story short, they were calling her an Olympian and she was very young, so you assume she’s a current Olympian but, no, she just went to Athens, IIRC, and is noe retired. So just because some people speaking out call themselves Olympians, it doesn’t make them current. The team IS banned from speaking out when in China itself. That is iron-clad.

By: Travis

Travis — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:47:25 +0000

Good interview, I’m gonna see both these movies.

By: Richard Giles

Richard Giles — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:04:01 +0000

I haven’t had a chance to listen to the interview yet, but it looks like a good one. Also looks like an interesting movie.

However, Aussies haven’t been gagged with respect to speaking about the political situation around the 2008 Olympics. I’ve seen several speak out about their thoughts, including in a full debate of the situation on ABC television just the other week.

By: Geoff Long

Geoff Long — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:25:00 +0000

Wow, what a great interview. Surprised no-one else has commented, but that had it all: history, politics, sport, a dash of controversy, insights into the Oz film industry. Loved it! Make lots more films Matt . . .