John Carlos
American track and field athlete
Cite this page
“John Carlos.” thisDay, thisday.info/people/john-carlos/. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.
John Carlos. (n.d.). thisDay. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://thisday.info/people/john-carlos/
“John Carlos.” thisDay. Accessed October 16, 2026. https://thisday.info/people/john-carlos/.
Who is John Carlos?
John Wesley Carlos (born June 5, 1945) is an American former track and field athlete and professional football player. Following this, he became a track coach at Palm Springs High School. He was the bronze-medal winner in the 200 meters at the 1968 Summer Olympics, where he displayed the Black Power salute on the podium with Tommie Smith. After his track career, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Canadian Football League but retired due to injury. He is the author, with sportswriter Dave Zirin, of The John Carlos Story: The Sports Moment That Changed the World, published in 2011 by Haymarket Books.
Historical significance
He went on to tie the world record in the 100-yard dash and beat the 200 meters world record (although the latter achievement was never certified). He became involved with the United States Olympic Committee and helped to organize the 1984 Summer Olympics. He was inducted into the USA Track & Field Hall of Fame in 2003. He went on to tie the world record in the 100-yard dash and beat the 200 meters world record.
Related on thisDay
Cite this page
“John Carlos.” thisDay, thisday.info/people/john-carlos/. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.
John Carlos. (n.d.). thisDay. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://thisday.info/people/john-carlos/
“John Carlos.” thisDay. Accessed October 16, 2026. https://thisday.info/people/john-carlos/.