SPORT AND PROTEST [SPORT AND SOCIETY]

This famous picture was taken in 1968 during the Olympic Games in Mexico City. There are
three men standing on the podium: Tommie Smith, Peter Norman and John Carlos.

These athletes took a stand to protest against the ongoing injustices in the U.S.A. Indeed,
back in those days African Americans were still deprived of their civil rights and there were
growing tensions within the country after the assassination of Martin Luther King in April the
same year.

To that extent this picture represents a particular moment in sport history that became highly
symbolic.

Instead of having his hand over his heart as an athlete would normally do when being given a
medal, Tommy Smith raised a clenched fist as a reference to the Black Power movement.
Both Smith and Carlos wore black socks in order to denounce black poverty. What is
striking is that rather than facing the American flag, they decided to bow their head so as to
express anger and disagreement with the American policy towards minorities.
The Human Rights Badge is a way to fight against racism.

This act sparked criticism and controversy. Although the two athletes were praised by their
supporters, Tommie Smith and John Carlos also had to face terrible consequences: the crowd
started jeering as it was seen as a form of disrespect towards the American nation.

The following day, they were expelled from the Olympic Village for allegedly violating the
Olympic values. They were blacklisted from the sport. Upon their return, they were tracked
by the FBI and they even received death threats.

However controversial that was, this act of protest is still remembered as you can now see a
statue representing this moment in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American
history and culture in Washington DC