In 1968, at the Olympic Games in Mexico City, American sprinter Tommie Smith made history with his “Silent Gesture,” now also known as the Black Power Salute. On Oct. 16, 1968, he had run to gold in the 200 meters in world record time. After receiving his gold medal, he raised his gloved fist together with sprinter John Carlos, who finished third, as a powerful symbol against racial conflict and discrimination in the United States. The silent gesture remains a symbol of the athletes’ activism and an enduring statement against social inequality.
What is celebrated today initially became a liability for Smith and Carlos because, according to the IOC, they had violated a cornerstone of the Olympic movement: sport and politics do not belong together. Under IOC pressure, the two world-class athletes were kicked off the U.S. Olympic team, and Smith was stripped of all funding. They were banned all of a sudden, even receiving death threats. It was only a long time later that their courage was honored. Since 2005, a statue at the University of San Jose, California, commemorates the protest, and there is also a statue at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington. President Obama welcomed the two athletes to the White House while he was in office.
Now, Puma is celebrating the 55th anniversary of its brand ambassador Smith’s famous Silent Gesture. In honor of the special date, the brand presents the “Icons of Unity” collection and an exclusive interview with Smith, Colin Jackson, former track and field athlete and Olympic silver medalist, and Felix Streng, Paralympic gold and silver medalist and World and European champion. The Icons of Unity collection incorporated various graphic designs in timeless styles to convey Smith’s four fundamental messages: Justice, Dignity, Equality and Peace
The Icons of Unity collection has been available since Oct. 16, 2023, at puma.com, select Puma stores and participating retailers.
