Tommie Smith Biography

Tommie Smith is best known for one seminal moment in his athletic career. After winning a gold medal in the 200 meters at the 1968 Olympics, Smith took a powerful stand for racial equality that has stood the test of time. He stood on the medal stand along with his Team USA teammate Juan Carlos and gave the Black Power salute. While in Mexico City, Smith and Carlos did several other things to protest inequality. Outside of his noted activism, Smith set seven individual world records during his track and field career. He won the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship while at San Jose State. Smith is a member of the National Track and Field Hall of Fame and the California Black Sports Hall of Fame. He also tried his hand at playing football and spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals as a wide receiver. After his retirement from competition, Smith was a track coach and teacher at Oberlin College and also spent time on the faculty at Santa Monica College. In 2008, he received the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage with Carlos at the ESPYs. 

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