John Carlos clocked a 19.92-second 200-meter dash during the 1968 Olympic trials at Echo Summit, California, surpassing the existing world record. This performance established the New York City native as a dominant sprinter, setting the stage for his involvement in international athletic competition and his subsequent advocacy for human rights within the sporting world.
Track and Field Success
Before his appearance at the 1968 Summer Olympics, Carlos excelled at both the collegiate and international levels. He competed for East Texas State University, helping the team secure the 1967 Lone Star Conference Championship. That same year, he earned a gold medal in the 200-meter dash at the Pan American Games held in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Under the guidance of coach Lloyd Winter at San Jose State University, he achieved significant indoor milestones, including record-breaking times in the 60-yard and 220-yard dashes. In 1969, he reached a career pinnacle by equalling the world 100-yard record of 9.1 seconds and leading San Jose State to an NCAA championship.
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As a founding member of the Olympic Project for Human Rights, Carlos initially lobbied for a boycott of the Mexico City Games to address racial inequality and international politics. After the boycott initiative lacked sufficient support, he proceeded to compete. Upon finishing third in the 200-meter event behind Tommie Smith and Peter Norman, Carlos and Smith staged a protest on the podium. They raised black-gloved fists and wore black socks without shoes to highlight poverty in the United States. Following pressure from IOC president Avery Brundage, both athletes were suspended from the American team and forced to leave the Olympic Village.
Post-Athletic Career
Following his track career, Carlos transitioned to professional football. Selected in the 1970 NFL draft, he attempted a professional career with the Philadelphia Eagles, though a knee injury hindered his progress. He later played one season in the Canadian Football League for the Montreal Alouettes. After retiring from sports, he held roles with Puma, the United States Olympic Committee, and the Los Angeles organizing committee for the 1984 Summer Olympics. He later served as a track coach and counselor at Palm Springs High School beginning in 1985.
Honours and Legacy
In 2003, Carlos was inducted into the USA Track & Field Hall of Fame. He later received honorary doctorates from his alma maters, San Jose State University and Texas A&M University-Commerce, as well as California State University. In 2011, he co-authored The John Carlos Story with Dave Zirin. His influence remains a subject of public memory, marked by the 2005 dedication of the Victory Salute statue on the San Jose State campus and his recognition with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award.
Fast facts
- Born: 1945, New York City
- Sport: Track and field, American football
- Education: San Jose State University
- 1968 Olympic Medal: Bronze, 200 meters
- Professional Football Team: Montreal Alouettes
- Hall of Fame Induction: 2003
- Career Award: Arthur Ashe Courage Award
- Publication: The John Carlos Story (2011)
Questions readers ask
What was the purpose of the 1968 Olympic protest?
Carlos and Tommie Smith protested African-American poverty in the United States by wearing black socks and raising black-gloved fists during the medal ceremony.
Did John Carlos play professional football?
Yes, he was drafted into the NFL in 1970 and played one season for the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League.
