John Carlos

John Carlos. John Wesley Carlos is an American former track and field athlete and activist, best known for his role in the 1968 Olympics Black Power salute. A world-class sprinter, he won the bronze medal in the 200 metres at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, where his demonstration with Tommie Smith on the victory stand became an iconic image of the Civil Rights Movement. His career and life have been defined by his commitment to social justice and human rights, extending far beyond his athletic achievements.

Early life and education

John Carlos was born and raised in Harlem, a neighborhood in New York City that was a central hub for the Harlem Renaissance and African-American culture. He attended Machine and Metal Trades High School, where his athletic talent in track and field first became evident. His speed earned him a scholarship to East Texas State University (now Texas A&M University–Commerce), where he studied and trained under coach Delmer Brown. At university, he quickly emerged as a dominant force in sprint events, setting records and drawing the attention of the United States Olympic Committee. His formative years in Harlem during the height of the Civil Rights Movement profoundly shaped his political consciousness and future activism.

Athletic career

Carlos established himself as one of the premier sprinters in the world during the mid-1960s. He was a consistent national champion in the 200 metres and a member of several USA Track & Field teams. In 1967, he tied the 100-yard dash world record with a time of 9.1 seconds. His performances earned him a spot on the 1968 United States Olympic team for the Mexico City Games. At the Olympic Trials held at Echo Summit in California, he finished second in the 200 meters behind Tommie Smith, securing his place to compete on the global stage. His athletic prowess was characterized by explosive power and a competitive spirit that made him a favorite for an Olympic medal.

1968 Olympics protest

The defining moment of his life occurred on October 16, 1968, during the medal ceremony for the 200 metres at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario. After winning the gold medal and Carlos the bronze medal, he and Tommie Smith ascended the podium. As The Star-Spangled Banner played, they bowed their heads and each raised a single, black-gloved fist in a silent protest against racial discrimination and poverty in the United States. They wore black socks without shoes to represent Black poverty, and Carlos wore beads in memory of lynching victims. The action, famously photographed by John Dominis, was immediately condemned by Avery Brundage and the International Olympic Committee, which expelled both athletes from the Olympic Village. The gesture, often called the Black Power salute, became one of the most politically charged moments in Olympic history.

Aftermath and activism

Following their expulsion from the 1968 Summer Olympics, both Carlos and Smith faced severe backlash, including death threats, public vilification, and difficulty finding employment. Carlos briefly played Canadian football for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League but was soon cut, which he believed was due to his activism. He returned to track, setting a final world record in the 100-yard dash in 1969, but his athletic career was effectively over. Undeterred, he became a lifelong activist, working with organizations like the Olympic Project for Human Rights and speaking on issues of social equality, education reform, and police brutality. He worked as a counselor at Palm Springs High School and later for the United States Olympic Committee itself, advocating for diversity and inclusion in sports.

Later life and legacy

In later decades, John Carlos received widespread recognition for his courage. He was inducted into the USA Track & Field Hall of Fame in 2003. His story was recounted in the 1999 documentary film *Salute* and his 2011 autobiography, co-written with Dave Zirin, titled *The John Carlos Story: The Sports Moment That Changed the World*. He has been honored by institutions like San Jose State University, where a statue of the protest stands on campus. Carlos has served as a community liaison for the New York City organizing committee and remains a sought-after speaker on civil rights. His raised fist, alongside Tommie Smith, endures as a universal symbol of protest and the ongoing struggle for racial justice around the globe.

Category:American track and field athletes Category:1945 births Category:Activists from New York City Category:Olympic bronze medalists for the United States in track and field