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Six athlete protests that changed history

By Dave Stevenson

Tommie Smith and John Carlos, gold and bronze medalists in the 200-meter run at the 1968 Olympic Games, engage in a victory stand protest against unfair treatment of blacks in the United States. With heads lowered and black-gloved fists raised in the black power salute, they refuse to recognize the American flag and national anthem. Australian Peter Norman is the silver medalist.
Tommie Smith and John Carlos, gold and bronze medalists in the 200-meter run at the 1968 Olympic Games, engage in a victory stand protest against unfair treatment of blacks in the United States. With heads lowered and black-gloved fists raised in the black power salute, they refuse to recognize the American flag and national anthem. Australian Peter Norman is the silver medalist. /
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Mandatory Credit: Patrice Habans/Paris Match via Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Patrice Habans/Paris Match via Getty Images /

1968 Olympics Black Power Salute

It’s important to remember how terribly African-Americans were treated in the 1960’s. It was a decade that saw a lot of civil unrest because, for the first time, African-Americans were getting a taste of equality, and were willing to do whatever it took to keep and expand it. Even it meant being criticized for not supporting their country.

Tommie Smith and John Carlos finished first and third respectively in the 200 meter dash at the 1968 Olympics. As they received their medals, both sprinters wore black socks with no shoes, symbolizing black poverty. Smith wore a black scarf to symbolize black pride. Australian Peter Norman, who finished second, was inspired and wore Olympic Project for Human Rights badges with them. During the national anthem, Smith and Carlos lowered their heads and gave a black power salute (though Smith wrote in his autobiography that it was a human rights salute).

Smith and Carlos were booed by the crowd and were ostracized by many athletes in America due to their actions. However, history remembers them as bold heroes who took a stand against injustice. They inspired the African-American athletes that followed them. African-American athletes have usually been the first ones to take a stand against injustice, with Smith and Carlos being pioneers in that regard.

Next: Muhammad Ali Refuses To Serve In Vietnam