Born in Texas on June 6th,1944, Tommie Smith was one of the main athletes involved in the 1968 Black Power salute at the Mexico City Olympics. He placed first in the 200 meter run with a time of 19.78 seconds. This time was changed later to 19.83, but Smith doesn't know why. Smith held 11 world records and broke 13 world records.
Before he ran track in high school, college, and the Olympics he survived life threatening pneumonia as a kid. He went to San Jose University and ran track there with John Carlos. That is where his Olympic career began.
When he made it to the Olympics and stood on the podium to get his medal Smith and Carlos started the protest. They wanted to bring attention to inequality in the United States and represent black power. He wanted to make a change in America,but he got expelled from the Olympics and his medal was taken away.To this day he still believes African Americans are treated unfairly.
Before he ran track in high school, college, and the Olympics he survived life threatening pneumonia as a kid. He went to San Jose University and ran track there with John Carlos. That is where his Olympic career began.
When he made it to the Olympics and stood on the podium to get his medal Smith and Carlos started the protest. They wanted to bring attention to inequality in the United States and represent black power. He wanted to make a change in America,but he got expelled from the Olympics and his medal was taken away.To this day he still believes African Americans are treated unfairly.