The world watches the Olympics for records, victories, and moments of triumph. But every so often, something happens that shifts attention beyond sport, capturing emotions far deeper than competition.
On 16 October 1968, two American athletes stood on the podium, bowed their heads, and raised their fists in a silent yet powerful statement. That moment, brief as it was, remains one of the most talked-about acts in sporting history.
Decades later, the image of Tommie Smith and John Carlos, standing barefoot with gloved hands lifted high, continues to spark discussions. The significance of that gesture stretched far beyond the medal ceremony in Mexico City, reaching people who may never have set foot on an athletics track. It was a protest, a call for justice, and a moment that demanded the world’s attention.
A Time of Unrest and Change
The 1960s were a period of transformation. Civil rights movements were gaining momentum across the United States, challenging deeply embedded racial inequality.
Although laws were changing, discrimination persisted in everyday life. Many African Americans faced economic hardship, police brutality, and limited opportunities despite their contributions to society.
In sports, Black athletes were celebrated for their physical prowess but were often expected to stay silent about social issues.
Their success on the track or field did not shield them from racism. They were cheered in stadiums but still faced segregation in public spaces. Against this backdrop, a growing number of athletes felt the need to use their visibility to highlight injustice.
One of the most vocal figures in this movement was Dr. Harry Edwards, a sociologist and activist. He founded the Olympic Project for Human Rights (OPHR) in 1967, urging Black athletes to boycott the Olympics unless their demands were met.
These included the removal of Avery Brundage, the president of the International Olympic Committee, whom they accused of supporting racist policies, and the restoration of Muhammad Ali’s boxing title, which had been stripped from him for refusing to fight in the Vietnam War.
While the boycott did not materialise in full, the discussions it sparked had a lasting effect. Many athletes began considering ways to bring attention to the struggles they and their communities faced. Smith and Carlos, both students and athletes at San Jose State University, were among those who wanted to make their voices heard.
The Podium Protest
On the evening of 16 October 1968, the Estadio Olímpico Universitario in Mexico City was packed with spectators. The men’s 200-metre final had just concluded, and the medal ceremony was about to begin. Tommie Smith, John Carlos, and Peter Norman walked towards the podium, each aware that this moment would be remembered far beyond the race itself.
Smith, standing in the centre with gold around his neck, had broken the world record with a time of 19.83 seconds.
Carlos, to his right, had taken bronze. Norman, the silver medallist from Australia, had run the best race of his career. As the three athletes climbed onto the podium, the usual celebrations that followed such victories were absent. There was no casual conversation, no shared laughter, just quiet determination.
Before stepping onto the stand, Smith and Carlos had made a decision. They would use this moment, with millions watching, to highlight the struggles Black Americans faced back home. It was not an act of defiance against the Games, nor a statement against any country. It was a silent demand for fairness, dignity, and recognition.
The national anthem began to play. As the first notes filled the stadium, Smith and Carlos bowed their heads and raised their fists, each wearing a single black glove.
Their hands remained steady, unmoving, a striking contrast to the atmosphere around them. A crowd that had moments ago cheered now fell into stunned silence.
The symbolism in their actions was deliberate. The black gloves represented unity and strength. They had planned to wear a pair each, but Carlos had forgotten his. It was Norman who suggested they share, leading Smith to raise his right fist and Carlos his left.
Their black socks, worn without shoes, signified poverty. Smith’s black scarf was a mark of pride, while Carlos’ unzipped tracksuit was a show of solidarity with workers. A necklace of beads hung around his neck, chosen to honour those who had lost their lives to racial violence.
Norman stood still, not raising a fist, but making his stance clear in another way. He wore an Olympic Project for Human Rights badge, the same as Smith and Carlos. Though he had not planned the protest, he supported their cause.
As the anthem came to an end, the three men remained in position for a moment longer before lowering their hands. They turned to step off the podium, fully aware that what had just taken place would not be forgotten. Some in the crowd jeered, others clapped. The reactions were mixed, but the message had been delivered.
Consequences and Lasting Influence
Back in the United States, the two athletes faced serious repercussions. They were met with hostility, received threats and struggled to find employment.
Many distanced themselves from them, fearing association with what was then considered a controversial act.
Peter Norman also suffered for his support. Despite being one of Australia’s best sprinters, he was not selected for the 1972 Olympics, despite qualifying. He spent years largely ignored by Australian sporting authorities and was only formally recognised for his actions long after passing in 2006.
Over time, the perception of their protest changed. Today, the raised fists of Smith and Carlos are widely seen as symbols of courage. Their actions paved the way for future generations of athletes to use their platforms for advocacy.
Figures such as Colin Kaepernick, who took a knee during the American national anthem to protest racial injustice, have drawn parallels to the Mexico City protest.
Statues have been erected in honour of Smith and Carlos, and their influence continues to be felt in movements fighting against discrimination. What they did that day became part of a broader conversation that continues to evolve.
Sometimes, an image carries more weight than words. The moment Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists in Mexico City remains one of the most enduring symbols of sport and protest.
It was not about defiance but about making sure the world could not ignore what was happening beyond the Olympic track.
Their statement, silent yet powerful, still sparks conversations about equality, justice, and the role of athletes in shaping history.
References
Bass, A. (2002). Not the Triumph but the Struggle: The 1968 Olympics and the Making of the Black Athlete. University of Minnesota Press.
Edwards, H. (1969). The Revolt of the Black Athlete. The Free Press.
Hartmann, D. (2003). Race, Culture, and the Revolt of the Black Athlete: The 1968 Olympic Protests and Their Aftermath. University of Chicago Press.
Smith, T., & Steele, D. (2007). Silent Gesture: The Autobiography of Tommie Smith. Temple University Press.
Zirin, D. (2005). What's My Name, Fool?: Sports and Resistance in the United States. Haymarket Books.
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