The Smith-Carlos Black Power salute: Once vilified, now praised
Tommie Smith, John Carlos were ridiculed after raising fists during 1968 Olympics. Fifty years on, they inspire others.
Australian silver medalist Peter Norman, left, stands on the podium as Americans Tommie Smith, centrr, and John Carlos raise their gloved fists in a human rights protest in 1968 [File: AP Photo]
Fifty years ago, two African American track-and-field stars, having just been awarded their medals at the 1968 Olympic Summer Games and very aware that the eyes of the world were fastened to them, bowed their heads and raised black-gloved clenched fists under a Mexico City sky.
Those athletes - Tommie Smith and John Carlos - are beloved icons today. There have been statues erected of them, books written about them. The importance of what they di...