Born on June 5, 1945 in Harlem, New York, John Carlos was born to be a runner. He was an excellent athlete and a dedicated student. His sense of determination and hard work led him to be an Olympian and for him to have a mark in African American history.
In the beginning, he wanted to become the first African American swimmer in the Olympics but his dreams were later crushed. They were crushed because his dad told him the truth about how he wouldn’t be able to practice since the facilities for him to practice were private clubs for wealthy white people. But another door of success opened for John Carlos.
His sense of caring for others led him to his career. This is because his compassion for others led him to steal food and clothes off of freight trains to give to the homeless. Whenever the police would chase after him he could escape because of his speed. One day a police officers came to his house to talk about his stealing to his father. When one of the officers talked to him he told Carlos he had a gift for running. These words inspired Carlos to become a runner in the Olympics.
He started off his career running for the college San Jose where he met Tommie Smith, his soon to be Olympic team mate. He won gold in the Pan American Games in the 200 meters. His speed created a spot on the American Olympic team which he dreamed about since he was a kid. He finally made it to the 1968 Olympics where he and Tommie smith staged the Black power salute to represent racial inequality.
In the beginning, he wanted to become the first African American swimmer in the Olympics but his dreams were later crushed. They were crushed because his dad told him the truth about how he wouldn’t be able to practice since the facilities for him to practice were private clubs for wealthy white people. But another door of success opened for John Carlos.
His sense of caring for others led him to his career. This is because his compassion for others led him to steal food and clothes off of freight trains to give to the homeless. Whenever the police would chase after him he could escape because of his speed. One day a police officers came to his house to talk about his stealing to his father. When one of the officers talked to him he told Carlos he had a gift for running. These words inspired Carlos to become a runner in the Olympics.
He started off his career running for the college San Jose where he met Tommie Smith, his soon to be Olympic team mate. He won gold in the Pan American Games in the 200 meters. His speed created a spot on the American Olympic team which he dreamed about since he was a kid. He finally made it to the 1968 Olympics where he and Tommie smith staged the Black power salute to represent racial inequality.