During the 200 meters medal ceremony during the 1968 Mexico Olympics, John Carlos and Tommie Smith raised a fist and made the Black Power greeting. An act that has become one of the most classic protests in the history of the Olympic Games.
Now, 52 years later, the Black Lives Matter protests have begun to enter the sport and are welcomed by many leagues, organizations and organizers, but the IOC is adhering to its ban on political protests.
"Now stands at a crossroads"75-year-old John Carlos and several active US Olympians have joined forces in a protest against the IOC and the International Paralympic Committee's (IPK) ban.
"Athletes will no longer be silenced." it is written in an open letter signed by Carlos as well as the US Olympians and the Paralympics Association for active.
“We are now at a crossroads. The IOC and IPK cannot continue to punish or suspend athletes who stand up for what they believe in. Especially when these values are united with the Olympic spirit. ”
"Continues to inspire"Earlier in June, the IOC stated that it is working to, together with athletes, try to develop a way for athletes to express their support for the principles that are also in the Olympic spirit ”.
In the open letter you also write; “Carlos and Smith risked everything to stand up for human rights and what they believed in. And they continue to inspire generation after generation to do the same. ”