Tommie Smith & John Carlos
Photographer: Platon.
The image is an indelible ‘universal’ locked into the human psyche I believe with anyone with any sensibility, sensitivity or social awareness but the story unfolding about the two men travelling to Australia to act as pall bearers for the largely forgotten ‘brother’ in arms always really got to me. That in itself is heroic in my view, a testament to soul and care and humanity!
"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 legally. Carlos was the bronze-medal winner in the 200 meters at the 1968 Summer Olympics. Peter Norman, from Australia, should not be left out of this story. For providing Smith and Carlos with the gloves they wore, and for wearing a pin in support of the cause, he was ostracized in his homeland. He never regained his athletic prowess. Tommie Smith and John Carlos were pallbearers at his funeral."
Peter Norman,Tommie Smith & John Carlos (l-r)
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