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August 5, 2015

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Goodes returns after racism row

Source: AFP | August 5, 2015, Wednesday | Print Edition

ONE of Australia’s highest profile indigenous athletes yesterday said he hopes to put a racism controversy behind him in announcing his return to Australian Rules football after being humbled by an outpouring of support.

Adam Goodes had been on indefinite leave after persistent jeering of him this season recently reached a climax, which was condemned by some as racist.

There were fears the 35-year-old star, a former Australian of the Year, may call it quits but he turned up for training with the Sydney Swans yesterday after missing a weekend fixture.

“The last week, there’s been a lot of discussion. A lot of it I haven’t read, but obviously been involved in before,” Goodes said, referring to nationwide discussions about the booing.

“I’m really hoping those discussions are behind us now and we can all move on. For me, it’s about going out there and playing football and whether this is my last year or not, I really want to be able to go out there and enjoy the last five games of the season.”

Many believe the jeering stemmed from Goodes’ reaction after being called an ape by a 13-year-old spectator at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2013. The abuse intensified after he performed an Aboriginal war dance during a match in May.

As the issue gained prominence in the media, Goodes stood aside to consider whether he wanted to carry on, but an outpouring of support from his club, high-profile figures and on social media convinced him to keep going.

“From all involved at the Sydney Swans, from other clubs and players from all levels of the game, from other codes, from the AFL, from so many in the community, the support has been amazing and it has been felt,” he said.

Australians had posted messages of support and photographs of themselves with Goodes’ playing No. 37 on Twitter, in a campaign backed by Australian Hollywood celebrities Cate Blanchett, Hugh Jackman and Hugo Weaving.

Last Saturday, a season-high crowd of almost 40,000 people at the Sydney Cricket Ground raised their voices in unison to cheer the absent Goodes in an emotionally charged game between the Swans and the Adelaide Crows.

Goodes is now set to take the field again in Saturday’s away clash with the Geelong Cats.

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