On October 20th in sports history, one significant event took place in 1968 during the Summer Olympics in Mexico City. American track and field athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos made history not only for their incredible performance in the 200-meter dash but also for their powerful protest on the medal podium.
Smith won the gold medal with a world-record time of 19.83 seconds, while Carlos took the bronze. As the American national anthem played during the medal ceremony, Smith and Carlos, who were both wearing black socks and no shoes to represent African-American poverty, bowed their heads and each raised a black-gloved fist, a gesture that became known as the "Black Power" salute.
Their demonstration was a silent protest against racial discrimination and injustice faced by African Americans in the United States. Smith and Carlos were members of the Olympic Project for Human Rights, which advocated for a boycott of the 1968 Games to protest racial segregation.
The protest was met with a mixture of praise and criticism. Many applauded their bravery for taking a stand, while others felt it was an inappropriate display during the apolitical Olympic Games. As a result of their actions, Smith and Carlos were expelled from the Olympic Village and sent home.
Despite the controversy, the image of Smith and Carlos on the podium has become one of the most iconic photographs in sports history, representing the ongoing struggle for civil rights and social justice. Their legacy continues to inspire athletes to use their platforms to speak out against injustice and advocate for change.
