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JUNE 9, 2000

Nova Peris-Kneebone, the first Australian aborigine to win an Olympic gold medal began the Austrlian leg of the torch carrying ceremony that will reach the Olympics in Sydney on September 15 of this year.

The torch was flown to Uluru, Australia where it was welcomed by the local aboriginal community. The community are the traditional owners of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

The Olympics have been overshadowed by complaints by Australia's aboriginal population, who have called for an official apology from the government over the forced stealing and adoption of indigenous children.

About 100,000 children were taken from their families between 1910 and the 1970s in a government sponsored program. It was believed aboriginals would die out and adoption by white families was the only way to save the children.

A reconciliation ceremony between Austrlia's white and African population was held in April. The Declaration of Reconciliation includes language that apologizes to aborigines.

Of the document, Prime Minister John Howard said "I am not willing to apologize for things my government and my generation of Australians didn't do."

The Olympics have also exemplified the differences in economy and status between the majority population and aboriginals, many live in poverty in urban areas.

Activists have threatened violence at the upcoming Olympic ceremonies. "Anything can happen," said Charles Perkins to the BBC in April.

Austrialian aboriginals account for approximately 386,000 out of a majority white 19 million population. Estimated population before European contact was 1 million.

Staff and news wires contributed to this report.