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Olympic Sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos To Be Inducted Into Hall of Fame

Tommie Smith and John Carlos became icons after raising a fist on the winners’ podium at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.
Olympic Sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos To Be Inducted Into Hall of Fame
MONTE CARLO, MONACO – NOVEMBER 25: Tommy Smith (left) and Lee Evans (right) of USA, gold medallists from the 1968 Mexico Olympics, pose for a portrait during the IAAF World Athletics Gala at the Sporting Club November 25, 2007 in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Smith participated, along with John Carlos of the United States, in a controversial “black power” salute on the podium during the 200m medal awards ceremony. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
By Paula Rogo ·

Iconic Olympic sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos will finally be recognized for their achievements by the very organization that expelled them over a half-century ago.

The Olympic Committee will be inducting both Smith and Carlos into the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame on November 1, NBC Sports reports.

The two men were kicked out after raising a Black Power fist on the medals podium at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, creating one of the most iconic moments in sports history.

Olympic Sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos To Be Inducted Into Hall of Fame
American track and field athletes Tommie Smith (C) and John Carlos (R), first and third place winners in the 200 meter race, protest with the Black Power salute as they stand on the winner’s podium at the Summer Olympic games, Mexico City, Mexico, October 19, 1968. Australian silver medalist Peter Norman stands by. (Photo by John Dominis/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images)

But at the time, the organization succumbed to the pressure and sent the two men home, despite Smith breaking the world record in the 200-meter race at the games, the Washington Post notes.

“That sparked a swirl of activity from Olympic officials. The USOPC initially decided against a suspension, intending to issue a warning to the rest of the American athletes competing in Mexico,” The Post reports. “The International Olympic Committee demanded a stronger response, though, fearing ‘that racial dissension might spread to other delegations if USOC refused to suspend Smith and Carlos,’ according to a dispatch sent from the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City at the time.”

It’s about time the committee made its course correction. Congrats to the men who made history that still inspires today.

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