The Black Power Salute at the 1968 Olympics

Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised black-gloved fists on the medal podium at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics in a silent protest against racial inequality. Both were expelled from the Games and faced death threats. Australian silver medallist Peter Norman, who wore a human rights badge in solidarity, was ostracised by his own country. Decades later, all three are celebrated as civil rights icons — but the incident remains controversial as a debate about whether sport should be a platform for political protest.