John Carlos

John Wesley Carlos (born June 5, 1945) is an American former track and field athlete and professional American football player. He was the bronze-medal winner in the 200 meters at the 1968 Summer Olympics, where he displayed the Black Power salute on the podium with Tommie Smith. He went on to tie the world record in the 100-yard dash and beat the 200 meters world record (although the latter achievement was never certified). After his track career, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Canadian Football League but retired due to injury.

John Carlos
John Carlos in May 2012
Personal information
Full nameJohn Wesley Carlos
Born (1945-06-05) June 5, 1945
Harlem, New York, U.S.
Height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight187 lb (85 kg)
Sport
SportSprint running
ClubSanta Clara Valley Youth Village
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)100 y – 9.1 (1969)
100 m – 10.0 (1968)
200 m – 19.92 (1968)
440 y – 47.0 (1967)
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
1968 Mexico City 200 m
Pan American Games
1967 Winnipeg 200 m

He became involved with the United States Olympic Committee and helped to organize the 1984 Summer Olympics. Following this, he became a track coach at Palm Springs High School. He was inducted into the USA Track & Field Hall of Fame in 2003.

He is the author, with sportswriter Dave Zirin, of The John Carlos Story: The Sports Moment That Changed the World, published in 2011 by Haymarket Books.

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