Many of us know this famous picture of Tommie Smith and John Carlos. But few know the bravery and tragedy of the white guy, Peter Norman.

He came second in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.

When he found out that Smith and Carlos were going to protest for equality, justice, he gave them the black gloves they wore.

As you can see from the photo it's a single pair.

Peter Norman was Australian and his time at the Olympics was so fast that it's still the national record back in Australia.

He did not lift his fist but wore an Olympic badge for justice and equality instead. It was his show solidarity.

Australia would not allow back to participate in the Olympics because he had stood in solidarity with Smith and Carlos.

Meanwhile in Australia he was treated as an outsider. He couldn't find work and eventually got a job as a gym teacher in a school.

He continued to fight inequality in his country, speaking against the treatment of aboriginals and also worked as a butcher.

John Carlos said, "If we were getting beat up, Peter was fighting an entire country and suffering alone."

He could have prevented his suffering because he had been invited to condemn Smith and Carlos in exchange he would no longer be ostrocised.

He would have been pardoned and been part of the organizing committee of the 2000 Australian Olympic Games. He refused.

The consequences were that he was not allowed to march as part of the Australian team in 2000 either.

In 2006, he died without much. Smith and Carlos attended his funeral and were pallbearers.

Finally in 2012, six years after his passing, the Australian parliament offered Peter Norman an apology,

"(3) apologises to Peter Norman for the wrong done by Australia in failing to send him to the 1972 Olympics, despite repeatedly qualifying;

(4) belatedly recognises the powerful role that Peter Norman played in furthering racial equality."

Some heroes are never recognised. But he was not about recognition, he simply stood for what was right.