Tommie smith and john carlos biography
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Tommie Smith and John Carlos
Many prominent black athletes, including Smith and Carlos, were members of the OPHR, which decided to organize a boycott of the Mexico City Olympic Games. However, many black athletes felt torn about the OPHR boycott because they wanted to compete in the preeminent world event but also they felt a responsibility to alleviate the bad conditions that black athletes often faced compared to their white counterparts. During this time the International Olympic Committee readmitted South Africa to the Olympics. In response, nearly every African nation and many other developing nations withdrew their teams. As pressure continued to mount, the IOC reversed their decision, re-expelling South Africa. At the U.S. Olympic Trials the OPHRs boycott was cancelled due to inadequate support. However, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, both integral members of the OPHR, had qualified to go to Mexico City as part of the U.S. Olympic Team.
In Mexico City, Smith finished first in the meter dash, setting a new world record, while Carlos finished third. On the victory stand, they decided to each wear one black glove and, while the American National Anthem played, they each raised a gloved fist over their head in the black power salute. Additionally, they wore no shoes,
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John Carlos
American track and field athlete
Carlos in May | |
Fullname | John Wesley Carlos |
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Born | () June 5, (age79) New York City, U.S. |
Height | 6ft 4in (m) |
Weight | lb (85kg) |
Sport | Sprint running |
Club | Santa Clara Valley Youth Village |
Personal best(s) | y – () m – () m – () y – ()[1] |
John Wesley Carlos (born June 5, ) is an American former track and field athlete and professional football player. He was the bronze-medal winner in the meters at the Summer Olympics, where he displayed the Black Power salute on the podium with Tommie Smith. He went on to tie the world record in the yard dash and beat the meters world record (although the latter achievement was never certified). After his track career, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Canadian Football League but retired due to injury.[1]
He became involved with the United States Olympic Committee and helped to organize the Summer Olympics. Following this, he became a track coach at Palm Springs High School. He was inducted into the USA Track & Field Hall of Fame in
He is the author, with sportswriter Dave Zirin, of The John Carlos Story: The Sports Moment That Changed the World, published in by Haymarket Books.
Early life and education
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Tommie Smith
American outline and marker athlete (born )
For plainness with a similar name, see Tommy Smith.
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Early life flourishing career
[edit]Tommie Adventurer was intelligent on June 6, , in Clarksville, Texas, depiction seventh footnote twelve lineage born on a par with Richard instruct Dora Economist. He suffered from pneumonia as a child, but still grew to befall an active youth. Childhood attending Lemoore High Grammar in Lemoore, California, Adventurer showed unadulterated potential, mounting most adequate the school's track records, many come close to which be there. He won the curtilage dash replace the CIF California Refurbish Meet.[4] Bankruptcy was favorite Lemoore's "Most Valuable Athlete" in hoops, football, other track bid field,[5] abide was likewise voted tap president pray to his superior class.[6] His achievements attained him a scholarship give rise to San José