Tommie Smith

American track and field athlete

Born: June 6, 1944

Sports

Tommie Smith — Image via Wikimedia Commons or Wikipedia.

Overview

Known for

American track and field athlete (born 1944)

Major work

Tommie C.

Who is Tommie Smith?

Tommie C. Smith (born June 6, 1944) is an American former track and field athlete and wide receiver in the American Football League. It remains a symbolic moment in the history of the Black Power movement.

Historical significance

At the 1968 Summer Olympics, Smith, aged 24, won the 200-meter sprint finals and gold medal in 19.83 seconds – the first time the 20-second barrier was broken officially. His Black Power salute with John Carlos atop the medal podium caused controversy, as it was seen as politicizing the Olympic Games.

Tommie Smith leads the parade at his Youth Track Meet 2023

Related on thisDay

How did Smith and Carlos protest during the 1968 anthem?

Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised black-gloved fists during the US national anthem at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, a protest against racism…

Sources and further reading

Use the dated article for the day-specific account; use these references to check the event record and explore its wider historical context.

Date article: How did Smith and Carlos protest during the 1968 anthem?Wikipedia source

Cite this page

MLA

“Tommie Smith.” thisDay, thisday.info/people/tommie-smith/. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

APA

Tommie Smith. (n.d.). thisDay. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://thisday.info/people/tommie-smith/

Chicago

“Tommie Smith.” thisDay. Accessed October 16, 2026. https://thisday.info/people/tommie-smith/.

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