‘Black Power’ was adopted at the Eugene World Cup with Tommie Smith and John Carlos

Tommy Smith and John Carlos went down in the general history of sport and society for their famous act on top of the podium of 200 meters of Mexico’68 Olympic Games. They won gold and bronze medals, respectively, but what mattered was what was in their hands. The two African-American athletes stepped onto the podium, bowed their heads, closed their eyes and raised their black-gloved fists as the United States anthem began to play. The three athletes, including the Australian Peter Norman, They wore the insignia of Olympic project for Human rights on his chest. The gesture occupied the front pages of all the media in the world and that, when they left the podium, they were booed.

Both Smith and Carlos are symbols of the fight against racism and do not want to miss the opportunity to raise their voices again, taking advantage of the opportunity offered by Oregon World Cup to gather journalists from around the world. “In this country we still have a lot to do,” he said. Smith referring to the ongoing cases of racism experienced in the United States. “We are proud to be an important part of the transformation experienced in the last century, but we need African-American athletes to continue our legacy,” added Carlos. Both highlighted the importance of the achievements of African-American athletes. “It is very important that black athletes achieve good results. His success is an encouragement to the youngest and gives them hope. Having African-American role models allows you to understand that, whatever the color of your skin, you can go too far,” said Smith, who gave an example of USATF (American Athletics Federation) President Max Siegel, who was also present at the event and is of African-American descent. “Athletics is the most international sport that exists and is the basis of all the others. We have to take the opportunity to be an example”, appreciated Carlos, who came to the meeting with a gold pendant around his neck with the symbol of characteristic fist of ‘black power’, his best medal.

In addition, they called on big stars to take part in defending the rights of ‘racialized’ people as they did in their time. “Athletes are here to inspire people and can do that in many ways. We know how to do more than run, jump or throw a ball. We have a head that allows us to think and not we can live independently of the inequalities that we have in our environment”, reflects Smith with a visibly moved tone. Both also identified the opportunity that the organization of Los Angeles Games 2028 to continue to progress in equal rights.