On This Day, 1968: Black athletes make silent protest

[Dennis the 'Bloody Peasant']

I hope there are some who dared to boo and condemn them at the time who later regretted it. This precious 'Olympic spirit' allowed Nazi Germany a world stage to promote itself during the Berlin Olympics.
Not all that different from the modern Olympics; make little or no mention of overt politics but be sure to corporate sponsor the fuck out of it.

"Two black American athletes have made history at the Mexico Olympics by staging a silent protest against racial discrimination.

Tommie Smith and John Carlos, gold and bronze medallists in the 200m, stood with their heads bowed and a black-gloved hand raised as the American National Anthem played during the victory ceremony.
The pair both wore black socks and no shoes and Smith wore a black scarf around his neck. They were demonstrating against continuing racial discrimination of black people in the United States. As they left the podium at the end of the ceremony they were booed by many in the crowd."

(BBC History - http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/october/17/newsid_3535000/3535348.stm)

[Igor]

it was actually protest of three: the australian guy who won silver was also wearing the same badge with smith and carlos, and was involved with the whole thing but just didn't salute. also as a fun fact, the reason why they're saluting with different hands is actually because carlos forgot his black gloves to the states and had to borrow smith's left-hand glove

but yeah, that was really bold move and huge props to all three and especially smith and carlos for this, they've had to deal with lots and lots of shit just because of a simple protest for basic human rights which were and still are lacking for african-americans.

[Jolly Red Giant]

it was actually protest of three: the australian guy who won silver was also wearing the same badge with smith and carlos, and was involved with the whole thing but just didn't salute. also as a fun fact, the reason why they're saluting with different hands is actually because carlos forgot his black gloves to the states and had to borrow smith's left-hand glove

but yeah, that was really bold move and huge props to all three and especially smith and carlos for this, they've had to deal with lots and lots of shit just because of a simple protest for basic human rights which were and still are lacking for african-americans.
Peter Norman role has often been obscured because of the treatment of Carlos and Smith after they were sent back to the USA.

Like Carlos and Smith, Norman was ostracised by the Australian establishment and media. He ran the qualifing time for the 1972 Munich Olympics 100m five times and the 200m thirteen times but Australia refused to send him to compete in Munich.

Smith and Carlos have been rehabilitated and honoured for their role in the USA - Norman, who died in 2006, still has not been properly honoured in Australia. Following his death Norman's family launched a countrywide campaign for Norman's role to be recognised. It took a further 6 years before last August when the Australian parliament finally agreed to issue an apology for his treatment after Mexico. The Australian Olympic Committee opposed the apology motion claiming it had nothing to apologise for and that Norman was not treated badly.

This Mural in Newtown, Sydney honours the three men.

A two year campaign has been waged to prevent it being destroyed to make way for a rail tunnel with the campaign still ongoing.

The protest is probably the most iconic moment in Olympic history.

http://innerwestlifestyle.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC_0132.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/4893260314/