Main content

The Black Power Salute

The story of the iconic protest by black American athletes at the 1968 Olympics.

In October 1968, two American sprinters, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, staged one of the most iconic protests in sport at the Mexico City Olympics. The two athletes raised their gloved fists in the air at the medal ceremony for the 200 metres as a way of protesting against racism. Simon Watts reports. The programme was first broadcast in 2016.

PHOTO: Tommie Smith, centre, and John Carlos, right, on the Olympic podium (AFP)

Available now

9 minutes

Last on

Tue 16 Oct 2018 23:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 13 Oct 2018 19:50GMT
  • Sun 14 Oct 2018 18:50GMT
  • Tue 16 Oct 2018 08:50GMT
  • Tue 16 Oct 2018 17:50GMT
  • Tue 16 Oct 2018 23:50GMT

Olympic history

Olympic history

The inside and personal story of the key moments from sporting history

Sporting Witness Films

Sporting Witness Films

Watch sporting heroes tell their stories of astonishing achievement

Podcast