Adam Goodes will return to training after the Sydney Swans star was left humbled by the support received after booing of him was slammed as racist.
Goodes, who is Australia’s most high-profile indigenous sportsmen, ruled himself out of last the game against Adelaide, sparking fears he may call it quits after being the target of a barrage of boos throughout this season.
“I spoke to Adam and he’s intending to come and train and be available for selection this week,” Sydney Swans coach John Longmire said. “He was incredibly humbled by the support he received over the weekend.
“I don’t think he had intentions to watch the game, but he ended up watching the final three quarters and couldn’t believe the amount of support that he had. We as a football club are just incredibly grateful for the amount of support from the football community.”
Australia’s race discrimination commissioner said last week the abuse of Goodes, 35, had gone beyond sport and become a blight on the country, and a campaign on social media, ‘IStandWithAdam’, quickly gained momentum.
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Australians posted messages of support and photographs of themselves with Goodes’ playing No37 on Twitter, in a campaign backed by Australian actors Cate Blanchett, Hugh Jackman and Hugo Weaving.
Almost 40,000 people at the SCG raised their voices in unison to cheer Goodes in an emotionally charged game between the Swans and the Adelaide Crows.
The stadium was dotted with Aboriginal flags and fans wearing the No37, while others raised homemade signs including “Love Goodes, racism bad”.
Many believe the jeering was racially motivated and stemmed from Goodes’ reaction after being called an ape by a 13-year-old spectator at the MCG in 2013.
The abuse intensified after he performed an Aboriginal war dance during a match in May.
