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Athlete

Tommie Smith

Track and Field Disciplines

Tommie C. Smith, born on 6 June 1944, is an American former track and field athlete and wide receiver in the American Football League. At the 1968 Summer Olympics, aged 24, he won the 200-metre final and the gold medal in 19.83 seconds, the first time the 20-second barrier was broken officially. His Black Power salute with fellow medallist John Carlos on the medal podium caused controversy because it was seen as politicizing the Olympic Games, and it remains a symbolic moment in the history of the Black Power movement.

Facts
Classification
Competition Category
Individual 1
Birth Year
1944 2
Connections

Competed In

1968 Summer Olympics, Competitions
Source Tommie Smith (Wikipedia)
Olympic Games, Competitions
Source Tommie Smith (Wikipedia)

Plays

American Football, Sports
Source Tommie Smith (Wikipedia)
Athletics, Sports
Source Tommie Smith (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases

Nationality

United States

Also in Geography Atlas: the nationality of this subject.

Sources
1. Olympedia: Tommie Smith - Olympedia
OlympediaBiography
Quote, Biography
As an all-round sprinter, Tommie Smith was a worthy successor to the great Henry Carr . In 1966, Smith set four world records, 200m and 220y straight and turn; in 1967 he posted world records at 400m and 440y; and he claimed his seventh individual world record when he won the 1968 Olympic 200m title.
View the Source
2. Tommie Smith (Wikipedia)
  • Lead
    born June 6, 1944
  • Plays: American Football, Lead sentence
    is an American former track and field athlete and wide receiver in the American Football League.
  • Plays: Athletics, Lead sentence
    is an American former track and field athlete and wide receiver in the American Football League.
  • Competed In: 1968 Summer Olympics, Lead or career section
    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.
  • Competed In: Olympic Games, Lead or career section
    His Black Power salute with John Carlos atop the medal podium caused controversy, as it was seen as politicizing the Olympic Games.
View the Source

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