Tommie Smith & John Carlos took a position at the 1968 Olympics. See them now.
The track athletes used their platform-literally - protest against systemic racism.
One of the most lasting images ofOlympic History The photo of 1968 Mexico City Games in whichTommie SmithandJohn Carlos Raise the fists to the sky By standing on the podium of the medal. Smith had just won the gold medal in the 200 meter sprint, while Carlos took the bronze. But rather than just accepting their medals, Americans Smith and Carlos have decided to make a statement against discrimination and human rights abuse.
While the American national anthem played,Smith and Carlos raised their fists, which were covered with black gloves, in a salvation of black power. They did not wear shoes, supposed to symbolize black poverty, and Smith wore a scarf and Carlos wore pearls around his neck to symbolize those who had been killed by lynching, according to history. The two men also carried an Olympic project for human rights badges. The organization was created by sociologistHarry Edwards as a way to protest racism in the United States and internationally while at the Olympic Games. Edwards worked at San José State University, that Carlos and Smith have both assisted. Meanwhile, the winner of the silver medal, Australian runnerPeter Norman, was in favor of Smith's silent demonstration and Carlos and also wore an Olympic project for the Human Rights Badge at the ceremony.
Now, it's been 53 years since the moment the famous Smith and Carlos. With a new Olympic Games that start in a world changed but still faced with many problems they protested, check where Carlos and Smith are now.
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The two men faced the consequences for their protest.
Smith and Carlos were both hanging from the American team and expelled from the Olympic Village by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) because of their demonstration. Return to the United States,They also faced reactions and received death threats. "One minute, everything was sunny and happy, the next minute was chaos and crazy," Carlos saidSmithsonian Magazine in 2008. Smith said: "I did not have a job or education, and I was married with a seven-month son."
But they did not regret their actions. "I went up there as a worthy black man and said," What's going on is wrong, "Carlos saidSmithsonian. InA recent interview with theWashington Post, Smith said: "The most powerful place of one of the ceremonies is on the stand of victory. It was my thoughts at the time. It was the only platform I had. What could -I do it? For the other athlete, John Carlos, we choose this. Yes, we sacrificed. We ran hundreds of races to get there. It was our platform. And it was not illegal. The IOC has a different opinion, but the IOC does not lead society. "
They both gone to the short-life football career.
After their track and their field days were finished, both Carlos and Smithfinished by making it on the NFL teams. Smith was a great receiver for three seasons with Cincinnati Bengals. Carlos was with the Eagles of Philadelphia for a year, but could not play because of a knee injury. He then played in the Canadian Football League for a year.
Smith became a university professor.
According toSmithsonian Magazine, Smith continued to obtain a Bachelor of Social Sciences from San José State and a mastery in sociology of Goddard-Cambridge's graduate program in social change. He taught sociology and health and track coach at Oberlin College, then Santa Monica College. He also started theTommie Smith Youth Initiative. Smith, now 77, is married to his third woman and has nine children and new children.
Carlos also became a coach.
Carlos, now 76 years old, became a counselor and a track and field trainer in Palm Springs High School. He is married to his second woman and, according to the 2008SmithsonianArticle, has four living children, after losing a son-son in 1998. He also helped to provide scholarships to young athletes with a Gala in 2019. "Children Carlos are proud to meet to reinforce an inheritance of a heritage of honor not only their family patriarch but a giant living in the worlds of social justice and humanism, "reads a statement on the eventon his website.
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They received many braces in the past years.
Carlos and Smith were both honored for their actions at the 1968 Olympic Games. In 2005, the state of San José built a statue representing their famous Olympic moment. They receivedARTHUR ASHE COURAGE AWARD at Espy 2008. In 2019,They were inductedin the American Olympic and Paralympic renowned room.
"He sends the message that we might have to go back on time and make conscious decisions about whether we were right or wrong," Carlos said United States today the re-examination of the US Committee's event. "They came to the conclusion that" hey guy, we were wrong. We were exceeding in terms of humanity in relation to the era of human rights. "
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