Tommie Smith

thumb|Tommie Smith thumb|American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos, along with Australian Peter Norman, during the award ceremony of the 200 m race at the 1968 Mexican Olympic games. Tommie C. Smith (born June 6, 1944) is an American former track and field athlete and wide receiver in the American Football League. At the 1968 Summer Olympics, Smith, aged 24, won the 200-meter sprint finals and gold medal in 19.83 seconds – the first time the 20-second barrier was broken officially. His Black Power salute with John Carlos atop the medal podium caused controversy, as it was seen as politicizing the Olympic Games. It remains a symbolic moment in the history of the Black Power movement. Quotes A fist is a fist. It resonates throughout the world. It means power, pride and faith. It was my cry for freedom in 1968. My part is never over until I'm over. Change is coming, and change is coming in a way that it should have happened a long time ago. We are going into an era where the world will be changed because there will be more people with more to say. With social media people can see the whole truth and not just a one-sided view. The technology which we are now blessed to have will play a big a part. Change is coming' - Tommie Smith backs sports stars making anti-racism stand, June 27 2020 I would be disappointed if I see something and think that someone else told them to do it, It has to come from their heart to do it for the people. All I did was stand there with a fist in the air, It was a cry for freedom. And now people are beginning to throw a right fist up and throw it up for different reasons, but now they have the freedom to do it. Tommie Smith, John Carlos weigh in on potential athlete demonstrations at Tokyo Olympics, June 18 2020 External links Category:1944 births Category:Track and field athletes Category:Sportspeople from the United States Category:Olympic gold medalists Category:African Americans Category:Living people