Damien Hooper reprimanded for Olympic Aboriginal flag stunt
Australian boxer Damien Hooper has been reprimanded by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) for wearing an Aboriginal flag t-shirt into the ring for his first Olympic boxing bout in London.
AUSTRALIAN boxer Damien Hooper has been reprimanded by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) for wearing an Aboriginal flag t-shirt into the ring for his first Olympic boxing bout in London.
The Aboriginal Australian, and London 2012 gold medal hopeful, wanted to “represent his culture” but didn’t know wearing the shirt was against the IOC charter which prevents political statements at the Games.
“I’m Aboriginal, I’m representing my culture, not only my country but all my people as well,” Hooper said.
“That’s what I wanted to do and I’m happy I did it.
“I was just thinking about my family and that’s what really matters to me.”
Hooper defeated his American opponent Marcus Browne in a come-from-behind points decision and looked very impressive in his opening bout.
“Look what it just did – it just made my whole performance a lot better with that whole support behind me.”
However Australian Olympic chef de mission Nick Green spoke to Hooper after the incident to let him know that that kind of behaviour was unacceptable.
“We know Damien’s got a very proud indigenous heritage,” Green said.
“I’ve had a conversation with Damien, he’s extremely apologetic for his actions. He has confirmed with me it was a one off and he won’t do it again. He was very remorseful.”
Green said the matter would be taken no further.
“He’s apologised and looked me in the eye and said he won’t do it again.”
But the incident has divided opinion in Australia, with controversial Australian boxer Anthony Mundine backing Hooper’s actions and saying it was a proud gesture for the Aboriginal people.
“I take my hat off to him for that stance,” Mundine told The Sydney Morning Herald. “It takes a person with big balls to make a big stance like that. I’ve got his back, all day every day, because he’s in the right.
“We want to be proud of a flag that we fly and the current Australian flag just doesn’t sit well because of its dark history.”
He even said the AOC were wrong to make Hooper apologise.
“I think the Australian Olympic Committee should have a good look at themselves,” Mundine continued. “It’s just like Cathy Freeman did [in 2000] … she flew both when she won the gold. But for me I’d love to see the flag change and have our people recognised on that flag. As long as we are not recognised and united, I can’t stand for it. I never will.”
Do you think Hooper was right to wear the Aboriginal flag? Tell us below:
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19 Comments
Mexico City 1968? The Aussie athelete who stood with the US guys doing the Black Power salute was ostricised for the rest of his life by the Australian sporting authorities. The US atheltes were pall bearers at his funeral.
MAMA MIA!!! WELL DONE TO YOU MY DAMIEN HOOPER!
DOWN WITH THE HYPOCRITICAL, CRIMINAL, INHUMANE AUSTRALIAN BRITISH APARTHEID OLYMPIC COMMITTEE!
I/ WE SUPPORT YOU ALL THE WAY. AMEN.
No political statements allowed? What about those corporate sponsor logos? Those corporations spend more money to influence politics in every country than Mr. Damien Hooper’s choice of clothing will ever accomplish. Indigenous people should always be able to stand up for our ancestors with out being reprimanded! Anywhere, anytime, any occasion!
I say BULLSHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is no reason for him to apologize. Why cause he is proud of where he comes from and who he is? That is crap telling him to deny where he comes from. My friend Del Blaney says it so elequently. “The colonial system kicks in and the powers that be don’t like the fact natives beat their kids, they then make rules that say they don’t want Native people to be always on the same teams because they dominate too much and it is not fair to the others. Hog wash. Plus the other sports like swimming, tennis, sking, snowboarding, boxing etc are all elitest sports, native can’t play them because of the financial constraint. Olympics is just elitest…. “Royal game”
As an Englishman to my core, it is so good to see a display of patriotism to one’s culture as well as to that of their country, so well done Damien Hooper – absolutely no apology needed!! Anyway, the Olympic Games is a showcase for people’s commitment to their sport, and however they perform – good on ‘em. Don’t you all feel proud to see the Union Flag displayed so frequently on our nations’ flags? I bloody well do, and long live our sporting competitiveness against each other!!
Wear it with pride.
It’s revealing that the IOC and the AOC consider it a political statement or protest. Seems kind of defensive. Guilty conscience?
Way to go! Sending some love your way!
This violates the U.N.’s the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Shame on Australia.
Congrats Damien. You stood strong and proud for Australia. Wear our Aboriginal flag with pride for all Australians.
Maybe boxer Damien Hooper could have had both flags on his shirt i.e. the official Australian one and the Aboriginal one. That way, he could keep both camps happy and still have made a statement about his identity and that of his people. Why does it have to be one or the other?
I applaud Mr Hooper for his courage and for showing the world and his people how proud he is of his heritage. You have done your country and your culture proud in a time where most fail to find a role model – your country has role model in you.
Thanks for making us all feel proud about our own heritage and for your courage. Kia Kaha
@Stuart Clark
Can Mr Hooper not at least be proud to wear with what he most identifies with first.. it wasn’t as if he was protesting!! He is part of a fine, hardworking OZ time and he did us ALL proud regardless of his attire :)
The OAC and its side kicks are out dated and must give themselves a second look. the world is in turmoil with cultural genocide happening right in front of our eyes. to simply acknowledge ones culture and pride at the Olympics is far from the crimes related to racial. inequalities. the OAC is nothing but a corporate body and should be overhauled. in with the new, out with the old…
If you have been chosen to represent your country in a world class sporting event such as the Olympics at least have the common decency to be a part of that team and wear the correct uniform.
Wearing a T shirt of the Aboriginal flag, although a fine flag ,does seem very tacky to say the least.
He should have been disqualified .
If I were an aboriginal athlete I would’ve done the same thing. Go Damien!!
Yes, he was right to wear the Aboriginal flag. It’s no more a political statement than wearing an Australian one. The AOC, like the international organisation, are a bunch of bloody drongos.
Well done Mr Hooper for being grounded in your identity! Unlike the IOC who need to lower their thresholds and promote athletes from all perspectives!!! Go Australia and be embrace ALL things Australian!!!!! To hell with the IOC and their unacceptable thresholds which incite discrimination!!!!
definitely !!!
absolutely yes,he had the right and it is very suspicious the fact they asked him to apologise,not to say racist.It is unacceptable for anyone olympic commitee or not,to say to someone not to show their identity and hide behind some made up cloth that is telling only part of the truth of this person.Shame on the olympic com.,shame on all who help the corporate world to take over the games and impose sick rules and opress freedom.this is a media stunt,it is a brainwashing campaign against the people of earth,of all nations.an attack by the few,those who make big profits and dont care about human lives.Even though i am against the whole games idea as it stands today (its not athletic to sit and watch others run or exercise,so lets drop this pretence now,about sports.ok?),so i say he is who he is and he has every right to show it at all times if he so chooses.in your face markets.