04/26/24
July 28, 2009
Beyond Sport: What can athletes do to make the world a better place? Olympian Ian Thorpe tells it like it is, and exposes Australia's dirty little secret.
Thank you for posting this, owly. That was a superb speech by Ian. I recently heard an interview with Chloe Hooper, author of Tall Man - the Death of Doomadgee, so Aussie history and the plight of the Aborigines has been on my mind lately. Do you have any additional suggested reading?
posted by Ufez Jones at 12:29 AM on July 29, 2009
I suppose you could start with 'The Other Side of the Frontier' by Henry Reynolds, which is a straight history. His other works are worth dipping into, as well - especially 'This Whispering in Our Hearts'. On the popular side, 'My Place' by Sally Morgan, 'Rabbit Proof Fence' by Doris Pilkington (also made into a good film), and for fiction, anything by Alexis Wright and Kim Scott, who are both a bit like your own Sherman Alexie. 'Up From The Mission' by Noel Pearson is a good autobiography, from a different black perspective.
Further disclosure: My ex was commissioned to write an essay about the Palm Island business explored in The Tall Man. Hers was published in the Griffith Review, and can be found on her website (www.melissalucashenko.com) titled as 'Who Let The Dogs Out'.
posted by owlhouse at 01:21 AM on July 29, 2009
Thanks! I have seen the film version of Rabbit-Proof Fence (although it was a number of years back - probably worth revisiting), but I'll definitely have to see if I can find any of those recommended books through my local library system.
posted by Ufez Jones at 09:13 AM on July 29, 2009
That was a very moving speech. Good for him for translating a career in sports into humanitarian efforts.
posted by bperk at 11:26 AM on July 29, 2009
Wow. As for the comments, I love the folks who criticize him as another all hatter. They clearly jumped to comment before reading the text as he is walking the walk and putting money and time into making this change happen. Internet, trolls, who would've guessed?
posted by billsaysthis at 12:04 PM on July 29, 2009
Fantastic post, thanks.
posted by yerfatma at 01:32 PM on July 29, 2009
That's a very good speech. Thorpe hints (though never explicitly mentions) the amount of money that the Australian government has funneled into producing elite competitors at sport over the past few decades:
I, as many had, made an assumption; Australia is a rich country, don't we throw a lot of money at that problem?Because that's what Australia had done to win gold medals, with Thorpe as one of the beneficiaries. While the funding for Australian sport is a drop in the bucket compared to the investment required to address Aboriginal health and welfare, Thorpe's clearly aware of the privileges accorded to him, which is why it's great to see him give back in this way.
posted by etagloh at 01:58 PM on July 29, 2009
Thorpe has the wisdom to understand just what the platform from which he speaks is built upon. He is also humble enough to realize that mere words from the platform will be meaningless. Place him in contrast to the numerous athletes in the US who use their status merely to call attention to themselves. He will go far, and I hope his endeavors on the part of the Aborigines bear fruit.
Some 22 years ago my wife and I spent a wonderful 10 days in Sydney. We thoroughly enjoyed the city and the surrounding countryside (the Blue Mountains have to be one of the more beautiful places on earth), but never dreamed about what lay beyond our limited view. Thank you, Mr. Thorpe, for pulling a bit of the veil from our eyes.
posted by Howard_T at 02:24 PM on July 29, 2009
Thank you for the post, owlhouse.
posted by tommybiden at 03:36 PM on July 29, 2009
This is probably the best piece by a sports star on non-sport matters that I have ever read.
Disclosure: Aboriginal disadvantage is a matter very close to my heart. NB: The comments section includes some very interesting people.