The PUMA Brush Spike that was banned shortly before the 1968 Olympics
TRACK & FIELD
Tommie Smith came into the 1968 Olympics as the fastest 200m sprinter in the world
Images : Angelo Cozzi / Archivio Angelo Cozzi / Mondadori via Getty Images , Karien Jonkheere , Ralph Schluter Archive ( courtesy Olympedia ), Norrie Williamson following the small procession , I noted that the tall ex-sprinter broke into an almost playful series of short fast steps as he encountered the brief but relatively steep ramp to an upper level . At 79 years of age , he didn ’ t appear to have lost his desire for moving fast .
As formal introductions were made , I realised two things … one was how tall Smith is , and the other was that I was shaking one of the hands that literally shook the world in 1968 . Sitting there in a T-shirt emblazoned with “ Peace , Justice , Equality and Dignity ,” he explained much of the detail I had missed as a youngster . He recounted how he and Carlos knew they had to do something on this world stage , but the planning was a bit last-minute . The black gloves were key to their protest , but they had to share the one pair , and that is why Smith raised his right hand and Carlos his left . Carlos was also wearing a beaded neckless to represent the deaths and hanging of black people in America , and both Australian Norman also wore the OPHR badge during the podium ceremony .
While many of these subtleties were overlooked at the time , this was perhaps the least violent , and debatably most silent and peaceful protest on racialism that the world had seen . At a time when the USA was still reeling from the assassinations of Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King earlier that year , and struggling with the growing calls for change by the civil rights movement , while the world was protesting racial policies in countries such as South Africa and Rhodesia , this simple two-minute gesture by two athletes had given worldwide impact to the fight against racism , even to a naive teenager in Scotland .
The opportunity to meet and interview Tommie Smith was made possible by PUMA , proud sponsor of Modern Athlete ’ s coverage of the 2023 World Athletics Championships .
Shaking a Hand from History By Karien Jonckheere
Having covered sport as a journalist for over 20 years , it ’ s not often I get starstruck . Until I met Tommie Smith . I couldn ’ t quite believe I was shaking the very hand that caused such a massive furore over half a century ago when it was raised on the Olympic podium in Mexico City in that famous Black Power salute . I had seen the famous photo so many times , and here he was , sitting down for an interview with me at PUMA House during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest .
Far from being an aloof political icon , the former Olympic Champion was warm , gracious and engaging . Despite the fact he must have been asked to recount that day thousands of times over the past 55 years , the now 79-year-old listened attentively to every question , thinking carefully about his responses . His manner was that of a kindly uncle , not a man whose courageous actions have resonated across the decades – after he and teammate John Carlos took to the podium without shoes to protest against Black poverty and raised their gloved hands in defiance . At the time , the two were vilified by the American media and kicked out of the Olympic village , but it was a day that would define the rest of their lives .
Unforgettable Experience
The American spoke with passion of his vivid memories of those Games , how he was nursing an injury at the time and wasn ’ t even sure he ’ d make the podium . As a result , his and Carlos ’ actions had not been planned very far in advance . He ’ d had to order the gloves from California at the last minute , and they were brought to Mexico by his wife . The conversation soon turned to South Africa , and Smith confirmed he had petitioned for both South Africa and the former Rhodesia to be kicked out of the Olympic movement . “ Your leaders were coming up with some outrageous statements at the time ,” he told me .
Then I asked was it true that the first time that flashed up at the end of his 200m race that day back in 1968 was 19.78 ? It was , he confirmed , then said he was actually disappointed when he saw the time of ‘ only ’ 19.83 . It was nevertheless the first legal time under 20 seconds , and it had not only earned him the Olympic gold , but the chance to carry out his podium protest . His World Record is often forgotten because of the storm that followed the medal presentation , but it was a mark that stood for the next 11 years .
Had the original time of 19.78 stood , it would have been the same time that Jamaica ’ s Usain Bolt ran to claim Olympic gold in Rio 48 years later . Asked his thoughts on Bolt , Smith couldn ’ t have been more complimentary , not only of the eight-time Olympic Champion ’ s achievements on the track , but also his
The famous salute is still being spoken of more than 50 years later
Karien Jonkheere with Tommie Smith and Norrie Williamson
social upliftment and education projects off it . So , was it true that Smith gave one of his shoes from that 1968 race to Bolt for his birthday back in 2010 ? “ Did I ?” he laughed . “ I want my shoe back , Usain !”
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