Top 10 most iconic images in the history of sports

Tommie Smith and John Carlos

You don’t get too many big stages to make a point, and perhaps the medal ceremony at the 1968 Olympics was as big as any that Tommie Smith and John Carlos could get.

Tommie Smith finished first in the 200 metre sprint while John Carlos finished 3rd. While the American anthem was being played at the medal ceremony, both raised a black-gloved fist as a sign of protest.

While it was claimed that it was a black power salute, Tommie Smith and John Carlos later clarified that it was more of a human rights protest. Australian Peter Norman, who finished second, was also sporting a Human Rights badge.

They were, of course, kicked out of the Games for the protest.