Aboriginal protest and the Sydney Olympic Games

Abstract

This article will look at Aboriginal political action (or rather lack of such action) around the Olympic Games. Indigenous leaders had threatened and planned to organize protests aimed at drawing international attention to Australia's failure to address indigenous social problems, but in the event there was very little unrest. This is partly because Olympic organizers gave prominence to the symbols of national reconciliation in the various ceremonies and rituals of the Games, and involved Aboriginal people in the process of organising. It is also partly because indigenous sportspeople were involved in competition, notably Cathy Freeman whose victory in the 400 metres race was widely interpreted as a victory for the process of reconciliation and atonement. There is also, however, a deeper explanation as to why the indigenous dissent was so muted. This relates to the ideological role that sport plays both within the indigenous community and to the broader Australian public. Sport is central to the populist sense of national identity in Australia. It is also a field in which Aboriginal people can mount a symbolic, non-violent challenge to colonialism. To protest against the Olympics is a very different thing from staging demonstrations against politicians or ceremonies of state. It is to risk alienation from the imagined community.