October 17, 1968: Olympic Protestors Stripped of Their Medals On this day in 1968, Olympic gold medalist Tommie Smith and bronze medalist John Carlos were forced to return their track and field awards. During the medal ceremony the previous day, both American athletes raised their fists in a black–power salute. International Olympic Committee President Avery Brundage criticized the athletes’ stance, claiming that it renounced “the basic principles of the Olympic games.” Watch Tavis Smiley’s 2011 interview with John Carlos, in which they discuss why politics has an undeniable place in the Olympic Games. Photo: Universal Images Group/Getty Images
View Separately

October 17, 1968: Olympic Protestors Stripped of Their Medals

On this day in 1968, Olympic gold medalist Tommie Smith and bronze medalist John Carlos were forced to return their track and field awards. During the medal ceremony the previous day, both American athletes raised their fists in a black–power salute.

International Olympic Committee President Avery Brundage criticized the athletes’ stance, claiming that it renounced “the basic principles of the Olympic games.”

Watch Tavis Smiley’s 2011 interview with John Carlos, in which they discuss why politics has an undeniable place in the Olympic Games.

Photo: Universal Images Group/Getty Images

Source: to.pbs.org

549 Notes/ Hide

  1. uniqueluck reblogged this from theniggacomplex
  2. fuckbitchessfuckniggas-getmoney reblogged this from theniggacomplex
  3. coolpix351 reblogged this from theniggacomplex
  4. everythingfweago reblogged this from theniggacomplex
  5. nijolhatesyou18 reblogged this from theniggacomplex
  6. theniggacomplex reblogged this from pbsthisdayinhistory and added:
    Tommy Smith and John Carlos…
  7. bvcktoreality reblogged this from manoreosareaddictive
  8. doyouwannamakepies reblogged this from manoreosareaddictive
  9. traytray2 reblogged this from manoreosareaddictive
  10. keithreads reblogged this from manoreosareaddictive
  11. patlinus reblogged this from manoreosareaddictive
  12. true2religion reblogged this from manoreosareaddictive
  13. perfectimperfections-x33 reblogged this from supasteven
  14. eternalsunshineofspotlessrhyme reblogged this from manoreosareaddictive
  15. supasteven reblogged this from 2necklacez
  16. thissmahshit reblogged this from manoreosareaddictive
  17. teamotumblrcom reblogged this from manoreosareaddictive
  18. 2necklacez reblogged this from manoreosareaddictive
  19. manoreosareaddictive reblogged this from underla
  20. pinestateofmind reblogged this from diglettgang
  21. diglettgang reblogged this from largo-al-factotum
  22. largo-al-factotum reblogged this from pbsthisdayinhistory
  23. erx reblogged this from oldfilmsflicker
  24. jesusmiamor reblogged this from underla
  25. tymme reblogged this from pbsthisdayinhistory
  26. mamisunderstood reblogged this from thingspoppylike
  27. jerilove reblogged this from pbsthisdayinhistory
  28. deea88 reblogged this from theniggacomplex