Black American Athletes' Podium Protest at the 1968 Olympics
A Historic Stand for Civil Rights
On the morning of October 16, 1968, two African-American athletes, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, made history by raising their fists in a black power salute on the podium at the Mexico City Olympics. This powerful gesture became a symbol of the fight for civil rights and racial equality.
Smith had just won the 200-meter race with a world-record time of 19.83 seconds. Carlos had placed third in the same race. As the Star-Spangled Banner played on the podium, Smith and Carlos stood with their heads bowed and their fists raised. They had previously agreed to make this gesture as a way to protest racial injustice in the United States.
The photograph of Smith and Carlos's protest became one of the most iconic images of the 20th century. It sparked controversy and debate, but it also raised awareness of the civil rights movement and the struggles faced by African-Americans.
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