Wayne Collett facts for kids
Collett in 1972
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| Personal information | |||||||||||
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| Nationality | American | ||||||||||
| Born | October 20, 1949 Los Angeles, U.S. |
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| Died | March 17, 2010 (aged 60) Los Angeles, U.S. |
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| Height | 188 cm | ||||||||||
| Weight | 84 kg | ||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||
| Sport | Athletics | ||||||||||
| Event(s) | 100–800 m, hurdles | ||||||||||
| Club | UCLA Bruins, Los Angeles | ||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | |||||||||||
| Personal best(s) | 100 yd – 9.6 (1971) 200 m – 20.2 (1968) 400 m – 44.1 (1972) 400 mH – 48.9 (1970) 880 yd – 1:52.6 (1971) |
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Medal record
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Wayne Curtis Collett (October 20, 1949 – March 17, 2010) was an African-American Olympic sprinter. He won a silver medal in the 400-meter race at the 1972 Summer Olympics. Collett is also remembered for a moment during the medal ceremony. He and the gold medalist, Vincent Matthews, showed their feelings about the challenges faced by African Americans in the United States.
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Wayne Collett: An Olympic Sprinter
Wayne Collett was a talented athlete who specialized in short-distance running. He was known for his speed in events like the 400 meters. His skills led him to compete at the highest level in sports, the Olympic Games.
The 1972 Olympic Moment
At the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany, Wayne Collett won a silver medal. This was for the 400-meter race. The gold medal went to his teammate, Vincent Matthews. During the medal ceremony, while the United States national anthem played, Collett and Matthews did not stand still. They talked, moved their feet, and touched their chins. Many people thought this was a protest. It reminded some of the 1968 Olympics Black Power salute by Tommie Smith and John Carlos.
Why They Protested
After the ceremony, Wayne Collett explained his actions. He said the national anthem did not feel true to him. He felt he could not honor it because of the difficulties faced by African Americans at that time. Collett stated, "I couldn't stand there and sing the words because I don't believe they're true. I wish they were. I believe we have the potential to have a beautiful country, but I don't think we do." He was expressing his feelings about social justice.
What Happened Next
Because of their actions, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) banned both Collett and Matthews. They were not allowed to compete in any future Olympic events. This ban had a big impact on the U.S. team. Another American runner, John Smith, was injured. With Collett and Matthews banned, the U.S. team did not have enough runners. They could not compete in the 4 × 400-meter relay race.
Life After the Olympics
Even though his Olympic career ended early, Wayne Collett continued to achieve great things. He was featured on the cover of Track and Field News magazine in 1970 as a hurdler. Later, in 1973, he and Vincent Matthews were on the cover again.
Collett studied at the UCLA. He earned several degrees there, including a law degree. After his athletic career, he worked as a lawyer. He also worked in real estate and finance. In 1992, UCLA honored him by adding him to their Athletics Hall of Fame. Wayne Collett passed away from cancer on March 17, 2010, when he was 60 years old.
See also
In Spanish: Wayne Collett para niños
