How were Carlos Smith and Norman penalised for erection at 1968 Mexico Olympics?
Carlos Smith and Norman won medals in the 200 metres race in the 1968 Olympics held at Mexico City. Carlos and Smith, the two African-Americans received their medals wearing black socks and no shoes to represent Black poverty. They stood with clenched fists upraised and heads bowed, while the American national anthem was played to draw international attention to racial discrimination in the US. The silver medalist, white Australian athlete, Peter Norman wore a human rights badge on his shirt during the ceremony to show his support to the two African-Americans.
The International Olympic Association held Carlos and Smith guilty of violating the Olympic spirit by making a political statement and Norman too suffered for his action and was not included in the Australian team for the next Olympics.