African-American
athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos outraged the Olympic Committee by
presenting the Black Power salute as an act of protest during their medal
ceremony at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. Their political gesture influenced
civil rights history.
On the
morning of 16 October 1968, U.S.A. athlete Tommie Smith won the gold medal in the 200 meter race
with a world-record time of 19.83 seconds. Australia's Peter Norman finished
second with a time of 20.06 seconds, and the U.S.A.'s John Carlos won the bronze medal with a time of 20.10 seconds. After the race was completed, the three
went to the podium for their medals to be presented. All three were wearing
Olympic Project for Human Rights badges.
