- I respect them so much as hell. You have to squeeze the toothpaste out of the tube to get any effect. Their boycott shows those in power, whether it is the NBA or any other major organization, that they need to raise their voices. They need to become aware of the situation, says 75-year-old Carlos to Time.
Athletes have been talking about racism for months but it was taken to a new level on Wednesday when the NBA team Milwaukee refused to play their match, an act that spread through US sports, this after a black man was shot with seven shots in the back on Sunday in connection with a police intervention in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where Milwaukee is the largest city.
"I hope it gives a snowball effect," Carlos told USA Today.
Carlos took bronze in the 200 meters at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City and demonstrated with the winner Tommie Smith by holding each black glove on the podium.
After the political action, they were expelled from the Olympic Village.