John Carlos

Dr. John Carlos is recognized for his contributions to sports and social activism. A sprinter who competed at the highest levels of track and field, Carlos gained international attention as a bronze medalist in the 200-meter dash at the Summer Olympics in Mexico City. At the Pan American Games, he won gold in the 200 meters, and at the Olympic Trials, Carlos won the 200-meter dash in 19.92 seconds, surpassing the world record by 0.3 seconds. He later equaled the world 100-yard record of 9.1, won the AAU 220-yard run, and led San Jose State to its first NCAA championship with victories in the 100 and 220 and as a member of the 4x110-yard relay.

Carlos and Tommie Smith made headlines during the Olympic medal ceremony by raising black-gloved fists in a gesture widely known as the Black Power salute, drawing attention to civil rights and the experiences of Black Americans. The athletes wore black gloves and went shoeless to symbolize African American poverty. Following the protest, International Olympic Committee President Avery Brundage banned both men from the Olympic Village and removed them from the United States Olympic team. Upon returning to the United States, Carlos and Smith received death threats. Over time, their gesture has been recognized as a significant act of civil rights activism and resistance.

After his track career, Carlos played professional football, including a stint with the Philadelphia Eagles that ended due to a knee injury, followed by seasons with the Montreal Alouettes and Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League. Carlos later became involved with the United States Olympic Committee and contributed to organizing the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. He has served as a counselor, in-school suspension supervisor, and track and field coach at Palm Springs High School in California. Carlos is also a founding member of the Olympic Project for Human Rights.

Carlos is the author, with sportswriter Dave Zirin, of "The John Carlos Story: The Sports Moment that Changed the World," an autobiography recounting the events surrounding his Olympic protest. The book was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work Autobiography/Biography. Carlos has been inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame, San Jose State University Hall of Fame, Texas A&M-Commerce Hall of Fame, and the NAACP Legacy Hall of Fame. He is also an inductee of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame. Carlos received the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the ESPY Awards and was recognized at the White House by President Barack Obama. He has been awarded honorary doctorates from California State University, Texas A&M University-Commerce, and San Jose State University.

Carlos is an activist and speaker whose lectures address topics such as cultural and symbolic protests and international human rights. His work continues to influence conversations about racial justice, athlete activism, and the role of sports in social change.