Athletics-Australian sprinter Norman dies of heart attack

MELBOURNE, Oct 3 (Reuters) Peter Norman, the Australian sprinter who won silver in the controversial 200 metres final at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, has died of a heart attack aged 64, Australia Athletics said today.

Norman's time of 20.06 secs remains an Australian record but the event was more memorable for the podium protest of Americans Tommie Smith and John Carlos who won the gold and bronze medals.

They wore black gloves, bowed their heads and performed a black power salute while the US national anthem was played.

Norman, who recently underwent triple heart bypass surgery, wore a human rights badge in support of his American rivals.

''I was happy to identify with (Smith) and the principles he believed in,'' Norman said.

Norman won five Australian 200 metres titles from 1966 to 1970 and later worked in sports administration.

REUTERS DH DS1220