At the 1968 Olympics, Tommie Smith, winner of the men's 200 metres, stood on the podium and lifted his hand to protest racism. That moment would end his running career - and shake the world Tommie Smith still gets chills when he hears the opening bars of The Star Spangled Banner. It takes him right back to that night in October 1968 when he stood on the Olympic podium in Mexico City, wearing his gold medal, and made the raised-fist salute that has defined his life. "It's kind of a push, when I h...
'People shunned me like hot lava': the runner who raised his fist and risked his life
The Guardian - 14 Oct 2021 07:00
At the 1968 Olympics, Tommie Smith, winner of the men's 200 metres, stood on the podium and lifted his hand to protest racism. That moment would end his running career - and shake the world Tommie Smith still gets chills when he hears the opening bars of The Star Spangled Banner. It takes him right back to that night in October 1968 when he stood on the Olympic podium in Mexico City, wearing his gold medal, and made the raised-fist salute that has defined his life. "It's kind of a push, when I h...
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