Blackburn buoyed by the success of Indigenous greats

She’s bound for the Tokyo Olympics, but proud Indigenous sprinter Angeline Blackburn says her path to the Games has been paved by the legacy of Indigenous athletes who have come before her.

A proud Monero Ngario and Yiun woman from South East Gippsland in Victoria, Blackburn began her track career at the age of 10, ignited by a dream of Olympic glory after seeing strong Indigenous representation at the Sydney 2000 Games.

“My dream of running was certainly spurred on by watching the Sydney Olympics,” Blackburn said.

“I was amazed at how many amazing Indigenous track and field athletes we had. The fact that we had Cathy Freeman, Nova Peris, Kyle Vander-Kyup and Patrick Johnson all competing at the Olympics at the same time made me believe that it was possible for more of us Indigenous athletes to make it to that level.”

And so Blackburn’s track and field journey began.

A talented junior with promise for a lengthy career ahead, Blackburn competed twice at the World Under 20 Championships. At the age of 18 at her second World Under 20 Championships, she assisted the 4x400m relay team to win bronze and that same year, made her senior team debut competing for Oceania at the World Cup.

After taking a break from the sport due to years of injury from over-training and medical misdiagnosis, Blackburn re-emerged in 2016 and within two years, cemented herself as a 400m runner to watch, placing fifth at the 2018 Commonwealth Games trials.

Fueled by the support of other Indigenous track and field athletes, Blackburn’s progression was rapid, and in 2019, she travelled with the Australian team to Japan, running in the mixed 4x400m relay at the World Athletics Relay Championships in Yokahama.

“In recent times, Beki-Lee Smith has been the most influential Indigenous Olympian in my life. Being a fellow Yuin sister based in Canberra, but also just a wonderful friend, she really instilled in me the belief that I could make it to representative level again.”

Now at the age of 31, Blackburn will join only seven other Indigenous track and field athletes as an Australian Olympian, and plans to use her new platform to inspire the next generation of Indigenous athletes.

“It is honestly the best feeling. I have always loved representing Australia and repping the Green and Gold. To be able to represent my country at the Olympics feels surreal. It certainly makes the hardships and the setbacks worth it,” she said.

“I think naturally as an Indigenous person, you want to give back to your community. I think it’s really important to have role models that can understand and relate to your journey, so if I can connect or help another Indigenous athlete, on a personal or sporting level, then I feel like I’m giving back to my sport and community. I think Athletics in particular, as an individual sport, can get so lonely so I’d like to make sure other athletes don’t feel isolated.”

One way the 31-year-old connects with her community is by wearing kit donned with the Torres Strait Island and Aboriginal flags – a piece of uniform she received in 2007 as part of the Jump Start to London 2012 program, for promising Indigenous athletes.

“I got badly injured not long after the Jump Start to London uniform was issued, and I felt quite upset that I wasn’t able to wear it alongside my fellow Indigenous athletes. Although I got to wear it seven years later, it gave me a lot of joy to represent my heritage. It was also a great way to connect to other Indigenous athletes and open conversations with all athletes about my culture.”

As the only Indigenous track and field athlete set to represent Australia in Tokyo, and one of 16 Indigenous Olympians on the wider Australian Olympic Team, the Canberran is encouraging all Australians to learn more about Indigenous history this NAIDOC week.  

“I hope Australians of all backgrounds understand the First Nations history is a shared history and that is something to be proud of for all of us,” she said.

“I also want people to take away from NAIDOC week, the theme, which is Heal Country.

“Country is intrinsic to our identity. It is family, kin, law, lore, ceremony, traditions and language. Healing country means custodians and families caring for it and we should have more conversation around how we can promote greater management, involvement and empowerment by Indigenous peoples over the country.”

More information about NAIDOC Week and resources for learning about First Nationls people and their culture can be found at www.naidoc.org.au

By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 10/7/2021