His efforts were recognised with a Citizen

Throughout the Tour de France, Australian professional cyclist Richie Porte will be checking in. Here is his latest entry, as told to ESPN contributor Rupert Guinness:Stage 17: Berne to Finhaut-Emosson, SwitzerlandIt was a move I had to make if Im going to earn a place on the podium of the Tour de France.That move was my attack within the last two kilometres of Wednesdays 17th stage. I know Ive been saying I feel Im in good form, but the value of that finish in the first of four stages in the Alps adds weight to it.Not that I havent ridden as well in the Tour before. I have, but in different circumstances, especially when I used to ride for Chris Froome (Sky).But this year its different, coming to BMC from Sky to race for myself. That opportunity is why I left Sky after all. I wanted to see how I can go in the Tour as a protected team leader.Wednesdays 17th stage from Berne to Finhaut-Emosson was a day where in that role, I showed I could climb with the best, despite having done it many times while helping Froome.My move near the finish of the stage wasnt planned - it was instinctive really. I set off wanting to drop everyone and finish the stage alone. But seeing Froome as the rider who got across to me was not such a surprise. He is the Tours overall leader after all, and yes ... he closed that gap between us quite easily.But I have to give it to Froome. While once he joined me in my move he didnt offer a turn, he didnt come over to me at the end either.When I first looked back and saw Froome there on my wheel - and the yellow jersey - he even said, Look mate, we are taking time. He then said: Good job, as encouragement.Looking back, given our past as former teammates - and even currently, as good mates - I can understand why interest in the two of us being off the front. But he is strong. His team is also clearly strong. The race will be interesting from here on in to the finish in Paris.Which all means the next stage is just as important as what Wednesdays stage was.The Tour resumes on Thursday, stage 18 and a time-trial from Sallanches to Megève.Ill get up as usual - at 8.30am. Then it will be breakfast as usual, followed by a final recon of the course, then lunch and some rest - but no napping. I dont nap well.Then it will be time to head back down to the stage start where I will warm-up for another race of truth.We all know a great ride on Thursday will do wonders to help me make best of the final two days in the Alps before the Tour finishes on Sunday with the final and 21st stage into Paris.But likewise, we all know that in a time trial its eventually up to me to produce that ride. Nike Air Max Flair Canada . Canada is now down to its 22-player limit, although but players wont be registered until Christmas Day. Changes could still be made as a result of a suspension or injury. Air Max Tavas Canada ., and Rudi Swiegers of Kipling, Sask., took sixth spot on Saturday in pairs at the NHK Trophy ISU Grand Prix figure skating competition. http://www.clearanceairmaxcanada.com/ .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. Air Max 720 Canada . Hey!" 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Colin Kaepernick and Joe Williams live half a world apart but they stand side by side when it comes to racial injustice.NFL star Kaepernick has attracted worldwide headlines for his silent protests about what he believes is the oppression of black people in the U.S, while Williams, a former professional rugby league player and boxer, has been a long-serving campaigner on similar issues for Indigenous Australians.Kaepernicks decision to kneel during the American national anthem has divided opinion across the world; some have praised him for having the courage of his convictions while many others have slammed him for adding further strain to a nation already on edge.Williams leaves no doubt that he is firmly in support of Kaepernick, and he recently called on Indigenous NRL players to follow the Americans lead by kneeling during future renditions of Australias anthem. Williams said to ESPN, however, that the message would be much more powerful if it were delivered by a white player.The non-indigenous people over in the States that are taking a knee need to be applauded, and it would mean more for a white person to take a knee here in the NRL, Williams told ESPN.People ask me why is it that I want the black people to kneel down during the anthem, but I want the white people to kneel down, too.Kaepernicks actions are being played out in front of a worldwide audience, but he is by no means a pioneer when it comes to this type of protest; Williams refused to stand for Advance Australia Fair 20 months before Kaepernick first started his protest.Willims survived a suicide attempt in 2011, since then he has used his experience to carve out a successful career as a youth worker and motivational speaker. His efforts were recognised with a Citizen of the Year Award in his home town of Wagga Wagga in the New South Wales Riverina region, but its never been personal recognition that Williamms craves; rather, he seeks the recognition of his people, Indigenous Australians, and hence he refused to stand for the national anthem during the Australia Day award ceremony on Jan.dddddddddddd 26, 2015 because the anthem doesnt represent us, the Indigenous community, at all.I cant stand it, Williams told ESPN.It reminds me of bloodshed -- rape, torture, bloodshed and the loss of innocent lives.Why do you think I called on the NRL players to do it?When I did it, I was seen as a disgruntled little black boy; but if the NRL boys did it then theyd be disgruntled black boys on a national stage.Kaepernicks doing his protest on a much bigger scale so whats saying our rugby league players cant do it, or our AFL players cant do it?Williams believes Australia has a long way to go before it can genuinely claim to be free of racism, but he did acknowledge that the nation is slowly changing for the better.The 33-year-old revealed that he was target of several racial slurs little more than a decade ago during his NRL career at South Sydney, Canterbury and Penrith, although he accepts the taunts werent intended as anything other than harmless fun.He acknowledges those days are gone but points out that a number of incidents at sporting events over the past few years are evidence that an ignorant element continues to lurk within the fabric of Australian society.You only have to look at the Adam Goodes incident, Williams told ESPN.Its disappointing but its expected because Australias a racist country.Dane Gagai was also racially slurred during a Newcastle NRL game earlier this year.My friend heard that from another bay away; there wouldve been at least 30 people that heard it very close to them that didnt do anything about it.What you ignore is what you accept. 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