To protest the treatment of African American citizens of the United States and to protest bigotry. Click on the 'Black Power Salute' link below to read about it and see a picture of Smith and Carlos on the podium doing the salute.
200m dash
Tommie Smith and John Carlos.
Tommie Smith and John Carlos are important for their iconic protest during the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, where they raised their fists in a Black Power salute on the podium after winning gold and bronze in the 200-meter race. This act of defiance highlighted racial injustice and inequality in the United States, making a powerful statement about civil rights. Their actions sparked global conversations about race and protest, solidifying their legacy as symbols of resistance and activism in sports and society.
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Tommie Moe
Tommie Smith and John Carlos.
Yes, they are Tommie Smith and John Carlos who raised their fists after winning medals at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City
200m dash
Yes, John Carlos and Tommie Smith both attended San Jose State College. They were track and field athletes there and became famous for their iconic black power salute during the medal ceremony at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. Their actions and athletic achievements have made them significant figures in both sports and civil rights history.
There were no Olympics in 1969, as the Summer Olympics are held every four years, and the closest events were in 1968 (Mexico City) and 1972 (Munich). However, if you meant the notable event involving Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Olympics, they famously raised their fists in a Black Power salute during the medal ceremony for the 200 meters to protest racial inequality in the United States. This act became a powerful symbol of the civil rights movement.
Tommie Smith (gold) and John Carlos (bronze)
Tommie Smith's middle name is H. His full name is Tommie Harold Smith, and he is best known for his iconic protest during the 1968 Olympics, where he raised his fist in a Black Power salute on the podium after winning the gold medal in the 200 meters.
During the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists in a Black Power salute on the medal podium after winning gold and bronze in the 200-meter race. Their protest aimed to highlight racial inequality and social injustice in the United States. The iconic gesture became a powerful symbol of the civil rights movement and sparked widespread controversy and debate. As a result, both athletes faced significant backlash and were expelled from the Games.
They were gold medallist Tommie Smith (b. 1944) and bronze medallist John Carlos (b. 1945).
Tommie Smith and John Carlos.
Tommie Smith and John Carlos are important for their iconic protest during the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, where they raised their fists in a Black Power salute on the podium after winning gold and bronze in the 200-meter race. This act of defiance highlighted racial injustice and inequality in the United States, making a powerful statement about civil rights. Their actions sparked global conversations about race and protest, solidifying their legacy as symbols of resistance and activism in sports and society.
During the medal ceremony for the men's 200m, Tommie Smith (gold medallist) and John Carlos (bronze) gave the infamous 'black power' salute for civil rights, while Australian, Peter Norman (silver medallist) wore a civil rights badge.*None of the men were stripped of the medals but Tommie Smith and Juan Carlos were asked by the IOC to leave the games immediately and banned for life for using the Olympics as a platform for politics, meanwhile Peter Norman qualified for the 1972 Olympics but the AOC barred any of their sprinters from participating at those Olympics, a first.