These two black athletes raised a great controversy in the 1968 Olympics, when they raised their fists in the "Black power" salute while receiving their medals. What were their names?

During the medal ceremony for the men's 200-meter race at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, gold medalist Tommie Smith and bronze medalist John Carlos created one of the most iconic images in sports history. As the American national anthem played, both men bowed their heads and raised a single black-gloved fist, a silent but powerful protest against racial injustice and inequality in the United States. Their gesture brought the struggles of the civil rights movement to an international stage.

The protest was rich with symbolism. The athletes stood on the podium shoeless, wearing only black socks to represent Black poverty. Smith wore a black scarf to represent Black pride, while Carlos wore beads to honor the victims of lynching. They were supported by the silver medalist, Peter Norman of Australia, who wore an Olympic Project for Human Rights badge on his jacket in solidarity. It was Norman who suggested that Smith and Carlos share a single pair of black gloves after Carlos forgot his own.

The backlash was immediate and severe. The International Olympic Committee expelled Smith and Carlos from the Games for politicizing the event. Back home, they faced ostracism and death threats for years. Despite the personal cost, their courageous act of defiance has since been recognized as a pivotal moment in the history of protest, forever cementing their legacy as athletes who risked everything to stand for human rights.