Tommie Smith/John Carlos Sublimation Tee (AOP)

Tommie Smith is best known for his powerful and historic protest at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, a moment that had significant implications for both the Olympic Games and the Black Liberation Movement. On October 16, 1968, Smith won the gold medal in the 200-meter race, setting a world record, while John Carlos won the bronze. During the medal ceremony, Smith and Carlos raised their fists in the Black Power salute while the American national anthem played. They were barefoot, wearing black socks to symbolize Black poverty. Smith wore a black scarf for Black pride, and Carlos had his tracksuit partially unzipped to show solidarity with blue-collar workers. Both athletes also wore Olympic Project for Human Rights (OPHR) badges, emphasizing their commitment to the fight for equality.

This protest brought international attention to the struggles and injustices faced by Black Americans and other marginalized communities, highlighting issues like racial discrimination, poverty, and human rights abuses. The raised fists became a powerful symbol of resistance and solidarity in the fight for civil rights and social justice, challenging the idea that athletes should remain apolitical. However, Smith and Carlos faced immediate repercussions, including expulsion from the Olympic Village, widespread criticism, death threats, and difficulties in their athletic careers. Despite these challenges, their protest remains an enduring symbol of courage and activism.

The protest at the 1968 Olympics was a critical moment within the broader context of the Black Liberation Movement. The 1960s was a decade marked by significant civil rights struggles in the United States, as the movement sought to end racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans and secure legal recognition and federal protection of citizenship rights. The Olympic Project for Human Rights, co-founded by sociologist Harry Edwards, played a crucial role in organizing the protest, aiming to use the global platform of the Olympics to draw attention to racial injustices. The actions of Smith and Carlos inspired future generations of athletes and activists to use their platforms for social change, and their protest is often cited as a precursor to modern athlete activism, such as Colin Kaepernick's protest against police brutality and systemic racism. Tommie Smith's protest at the 1968 Olympics was a landmark moment that transcended sports, becoming a bold statement against racial injustice and an integral part of the Black Liberation Movement, highlighting the power of individual acts of defiance in the struggle for equality and human rights.