Australian Olympic Committee officially change Constitution to recognise indigenous population

The Australian Olympic Committee have unanimously voted in favour of changing the Constitution in order to recognise the nation’s indigenous population ©Getty Images

An historic change to the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) Constitution to recognise the nation’s indigenous population has been unanimously passed at the body’s Annual General Meeting in Sydney.

The alteration was unveiled last year and has now been officially confirmed, with all voting members being in favour of the change.

The wording of the team values developed by the AOC Athletes’ Commission has also been amended and the body will continue to provide long-term assistance to the Cathy Freeman Foundation to enhance relations even further.

“To recognise the heritage, culture and contribution of our nation’s first people and to give practical support to indigenous reconciliation through sport,” the AOC Constitution now reads.

The change was heralded by Senator Nova Peris, Australia’s first indigenous gold medallist as part of the hockey team at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta,

She spoke at the meeting on behalf of the 43 indigenous Olympians and future Olympians, detailing her “pride” in being one of the country’s first people.

Olympic gold medallist Senator Nova Peris hailed the change in the Constitution by the AOC at their AGM ©Getty Images

“I congratulate the Australian Olympic Committee for amending your constitution to recognise the heritage, culture and contribution of our nation’s first people and to include respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people - the first people of Australia - in the Australian Olympic Team values,” Peris, who is now a Senator for Northern Territory, said.

“This simple act now includes our people as part of Australia’s rich sporting family, its heritage and tradition.

“This simple act today makes me proud to be an Australian, it makes me proud to be an Olympian, it makes me proud to be Aboriginal and to represent the oldest continuous living culture on earth.”

The move comes after Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott challenged national leaders to recognise Australia's "indigenous heritage" during a visit to Arnhem Land in September of last year.

“Remember, it was Cathy Freeman who lit the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney Olympics,” AOC President John Coates said.

“We also decided that the Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch Relay would commence its 27,000 kilometre passage across Australia at the ancient rock of Uluru in the presence of the traditional custodians and with a barefoot Nova Peris, joined by her nine year old daughter, Jessica running the first leg.”