Tommie Smith

The Black Power salute — the most politically significant individual gesture in Olympic history.

Tommie C Smith was born in Clarksville, Texas in 1944. He won the 200m at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics in a world record of 19.83 seconds. On the medal podium he and bronze medallist John Carlos raised black-gloved fists as the US national anthem played — the most iconic gesture of political protest in the history of sport. Both were expelled from the Olympic Village by the US Olympic Committee. Australian silver medallist Peter Norman wore an Olympic Project for Human Rights badge in solidarity. Smith and Carlos faced significant social and professional consequences — including threats and difficulty finding employment. Their statue at San José State University was vandalised multiple times. The gesture became the defining image of athlete activism.

Explosive sprinter with exceptional 200m technique

Civil rights activism through sport, broke racial barriers in athletics

• Olympic Gold 200m 1968 (world record)
• Black Power salute 1968 Mexico City