Sports have always been a platform for individual expression. In the modern era, athletes have increasingly used the global stage for both personal and political statements. From Kylian Mbappe to Muhammad Ali, numerous athletes have leveraged their platform for the betterment of society. The Olympic Games, with its iconic stage, has also witnessed its share of politically significant incidents. One such event was the Black Power Salute at the 1968 Mexico Summer Games, occurring just months after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., the prominent American civil rights activist.
Moments after breaking the 200-meter world record to win gold, African-American athletes Tommie Smith and his U.S. teammate John Carlos, who won the bronze medal, made a powerful stand on the podium. Their Australian rival, Peter Norman, stood in solidarity with them. The image of these three athletes on the podium would soon spark international outrage and become etched in history as one of the most impactful visuals of protest.
Smith and Carlos stood on the podium without shoes, wearing black socks to symbolize the poverty within their community. They then raised their black-gloved fists in the air, performing the ‘Black Power Salute’—a historic symbol of African-American rights activism—on their own terms. As the U.S. national anthem played in the Olympic Stadium in Mexico City, Smith and Carlos lowered their heads, fists raised towards the sky, facing their national flag. This act of defiance carried significant consequences for Smith and Carlos. They were suspended from the U.S. Team and the Olympics Village after a threat was made against the entire U.S. contingent by Avery Brundage, the American IOC president at the time. Upon their return to the U.S., they faced intense abuse and criticism, ultimately leading them to abandon their track and field careers and pursue brief stints in professional football before settling into academic paths.
However, this unified act of resistance by the three athletes succeeded in bringing worldwide attention to civil rights issues in the USA, prompting widespread discussion about the rights of minorities in America. Smith and Carlos served as pallbearers at Norman’s funeral 38 years later, before the world fully recognized the trio’s bond in a moment that transcended sports. Their action stands as a powerful testament to the enduring impact of athletes utilizing their platform to champion social justice and equality.
