50 years since 2 US athletes gave 'black power salute' at Olympics
African-American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their black-gloved fists in a 'black power salute' and bowed their heads on the podium after winning 200m gold and bronze at Mexico City Olympics on October 16, 1968. The duo was staging a silent protest against continuing racial discrimination in the US. IOC later banned them for life from Olympic competitions.