In the annals of Olympic history, few moments are as iconic and impactful as the silent protest of Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Mexico City Games. Their actions on the medal podium sparked a global conversation about race, human rights, and the role of athletes in social justice movements.
The Moment
On October 16, 1968, after winning gold and bronze respectively in the 200-meter sprint, Tommie Smith and John Carlos stepped onto the podium. As the "Star-Spangled Banner" played, they bowed their heads and each raised a black-gloved fist, a powerful symbol of Black power and solidarity.
Why They Did It
The 1960s were a turbulent time in the United States, marked by the Civil Rights Movement and widespread racial inequality. Smith and Carlos, along with many other Black athletes, felt compelled to use their platform to shed light on these injustices. They were part of the Olympic Project for Human Rights (OPHR), an organization advocating for racial equality in sports and society.
In an interview with The Guardian, Tommie Smith explained, "We were concerned about human rights; we were concerned about the racism in America."
John Carlos echoed this sentiment, stating, "We were just trying to make America better. We weren't trying to burn the country down."
Their protest was not a spur-of-the-moment decision but a carefully planned act to bring international attention to the struggles faced by Black Americans, including poverty, police brutality, and systemic discrimination.
What Happened Next
The immediate aftermath for Smith and Carlos was severe. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) deemed their actions a political statement incompatible with the spirit of the Games. They were expelled from the Olympics, stripped of their medals, and sent home in disgrace.
Upon their return to the United States, they faced public backlash, death threats, and struggled to find work. Their careers in track and field were effectively over. However, they slowly began to gain recognition for their courage and conviction.
The Unsung Hero: Peter Norman
Standing beside Smith and Carlos on the podium was Australian silver medalist Peter Norman.
Norman, a white athlete, wore an OPHR badge in solidarity with Smith and Carlos. His act of support came at a significant personal cost, as he faced ostracization and criticism from the Australian Olympic establishment and media. He was effectively blacklisted from future Olympic Games, despite being a highly accomplished sprinter. Norman's quiet but powerful gesture remains a testament to allyship and the shared struggle for human rights.
Why Not Just "Shut Up and Take Their Medals"?
The idea of athletes "sticking to sports" is a common refrain, but for Smith and Carlos, and many athletes before and since, this was not an option. They believed that their visibility and platform came with a responsibility to speak out against injustice. As Jackie Robinson, another trailblazing athlete, once said, "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives."
To simply "shut up and take their medals" would have meant ignoring the systemic racism that permeated American society and sport. It would have meant squandering a unique opportunity to force a global reckoning with uncomfortable truths. Their protest was a declaration that human dignity and equality were more important than personal glory or comfortable silence.
Legacy and Redemption
In the decades that followed, the perception of Smith and Carlos's protest shifted dramatically. What was once seen as a defiant and unpatriotic act is now largely recognized as a courageous stand for justice. They have been honored by various organizations, including the National Civil Rights Museum, and their iconic image has become a symbol of resistance and the power of athletic activism.
In 2019, Smith and Carlos were inducted into the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame, a testament to the enduring impact of their protest and the historical re-evaluation of their actions. Peter Norman also received posthumous recognition and a formal apology from the Australian Parliament for the treatment he endured.
The 1968 Mexico City Olympics podium moment serves as a powerful reminder that sports and politics are often intertwined. It highlights the profound courage of individuals who choose to speak truth to power, even when faced with immense personal sacrifice, and the lasting impact of their fight for a more just and equitable world.
Sources:
The Guardian:
Tommie Smith and John Carlos on their 1968 Olympics protest: 'We were just trying to make America better' National Civil Rights Museum:
Olympic Project for Human Rights Biography.com:
Jackie Robinson Quotes U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame:
Class of 2019 Inductees
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