John Carlos facts for kids
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Carlos in May 2012
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Quick facts for kids Personal information |
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| Born | June 5, 1945 New York City, U.S. |
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| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 187 lb (85 kg) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Sprint running | |||||||||||||||||||
| Club | Santa 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) |
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Medal record
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John Wesley Carlos (born June 5, 1945) is an American former track and field athlete and professional football player. He won a bronze medal in the 200 meters at the 1968 Summer Olympics. At these Olympics, he became famous for showing the Black Power salute on the medal stand with Tommie Smith.
After his Olympic success, he tied the world record in the 100-yard dash. He also beat the 200 meters world record, though this was not officially recognized. After his running career, he played football for a short time in the Canadian Football League. He had to stop playing due to an injury.
Later, John Carlos worked with the United States Olympic Committee. He helped organize the 1984 Summer Olympics. He then became a track coach at Palm Springs High School. In 2003, he was added to the USA Track & Field Hall of Fame.
He also wrote a book with sportswriter Dave Zirin. It is called The John Carlos Story: The Sports Moment That Changed the World. It was published in 2011.
Contents
Early Life and School
John Carlos was born in The Bronx, New York City. He grew up in Harlem, New York. His mother, Vioris, was born in Jamaica and grew up in Santiago, Cuba. His father, Earl V. Carlos, Sr., was from Camden, South Carolina. He was a veteran of World War I.
John Carlos was a talented athlete and a good student in high school. He received a scholarship to study at East Texas State University for track and field. His wins in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes helped his team win the 1967 Lone Star Conference Championship. After his first year, Carlos went to San Jose State University. There, he was coached by Lloyd (Bud) Winter, who later became famous.
Carlos received special degrees from California State University in 2008. In 2012, he also received special degrees from his former schools, Texas A&M University-Commerce and San Jose State University.
The 1968 Olympics and Protest
The tryouts for the 1968 Olympics were held in California at Echo Summit. This place is about the same height above sea level as Mexico City, where the Olympics would be held. Carlos won the 200-meter dash in 19.92 seconds. He beat Tommie Smith, who held the world record at the time. Carlos's time was faster than the world record, but it was not officially recognized. This was because his special running shoes were not allowed at the time. Still, this race showed he was a top sprinter.
Carlos helped start a group called the Olympic Project for Human Rights (OPHR). At first, he suggested that athletes should not go to the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games. He wanted four things to happen first. These included South Africa and Rhodesia not being allowed to compete. He also wanted Muhammad Ali to get his boxing title back. And he wanted more African-American coaches to be hired.
The boycott did not get enough support, but the IOC did not invite South Africa and Rhodesia. So, Carlos decided to take part in the Games. He planned to make a protest if he won a medal.
After finishing third in the 200 meters, Carlos and Tommie Smith made headlines. They raised their fists in black gloves during the medal ceremony. They also wore black socks and no shoes to show the struggles faced by African Americans. Peter Norman, the silver medalist from Australia, supported them. He wore an OPHR badge to show he was with them.
The president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Avery Brundage, did not like their actions. He said it was a political statement and not right for the Olympics. He ordered Smith and Carlos to be removed from the U.S. team and banned from the Olympic Village. When the U.S. Olympic Committee did not agree, Brundage threatened to ban the entire U.S. track team. Because of this threat, Smith and Carlos were sent home from the Games.
A spokesperson for the IOC said their actions broke the rules of the Olympic spirit.
The 1968 Olympics happened during important times for the Civil Rights movement in the U.S. Martin Luther King Jr. was killed in April 1968. A new law about fair housing was passed. Many protests were happening across the country about the Vietnam War and human rights. The 1968 Olympics were shown on TV and radio around the world. This gave athletes a big stage to share their thoughts on important issues. Peaceful protests by athletes are still common today.
Later Career and Recognition
After his running career, John Carlos tried playing professional football. He was chosen by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1970 NFL draft. However, a knee injury stopped him from playing for them. He then played one season for the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League.
After retiring from football, Carlos worked for companies like Puma. He also worked for the United States Olympic Committee and helped with the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
In 1985, Carlos became a counselor and track and field coach at Palm Springs High School in California. In 2003, he was added to the National Track & Field Hall of Fame.
In 2005, a statue called Victory Salute was built at San Jose State University. It shows Carlos and Smith on the medal stand.
In 2006, John Carlos gave a speech at Peter Norman's funeral. He also helped carry the coffin, along with Tommie Smith.
In 2007, John Carlos was honored at the Trumpet Awards in Las Vegas.
Carlos is the godfather of Chicago White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams. Carlos ran track with Williams's father in college.
In April 2008, Carlos carried the Human Rights Torch. This torch run happened at the same time as the 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay. It aimed to bring attention to human rights issues in China.
On July 16, 2008, John Carlos and Tommie Smith received the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage. They got this award for their salute at the 2008 ESPY Awards in Los Angeles.
In October 2011, Carlos spoke and raised his fist at Occupy Wall Street. He told the crowd, "Today I am here for you. Why? Because I am you. We're here forty-three years later because there's a fight still to be won. This day is not for us but for our children to come."
Awards
- World Athletics Awards - President's award：2020
See also
In Spanish: John Carlos para niños
