Tommie Smith began life quietly, born to Richard and Dora Smith on June 6, 1944 in Clarksville, Texas the seventh of 12 children. Smith survived a life-threatening bout of pneumonia as an infant which allowed him to carry out the work that God intended for him. Today, his historic achievements make him a nationally and internationally distinguished figure in African American history. He is the only man in the history of track and field to hold eleven world records simultaneously.
During the historical 19th Olympiad in Mexico City in the summer of 1968, Smith broke the world and Olympic record with a time of 19.83 seconds and became the 200-meter Olympic champion. As the Star-Spangled Banner played in the wind at the Mexico City Summer Olympic Games, Smith and teammate John Carlos stood on the victory podium, draped with their Olympic medals, each raised a clinched fist covered in a black leather glove in a historic stand for Black power, liberation, and solidarity. This courageous, unexpected worldwide event propelled Smith into the spotlight as a human rights spokesman, activist, and symbol of African American pride at home and abroad. Cheered by some, jeered by others, and ignored by many more, Smith made a commitment to dedicate his life, even at great personal risk to champion the cause of oppressed people.
Dr. Smith completed his autobiography entitled “Silent Gesture” published by Temple University Press in January 2007, was nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the literary category Autobiography and Biography. The story of the “Silent Gesture” is captured for all time in the 1999 HBO TV documentary: "Fists of Freedom".
Smith’s courageous leadership, exceptional talent, and dedication to activism have earned him widespread recognition and numerous accolades. Among his many honors, he was inducted into the United States Olympic & Paralympic Legend Hall of Fame and featured in publications such as Sports Illustrated, Ebony, TIME, and Newsweek. From 1969 to 1971, he played for the Cincinnati Bengals before being inducted into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame in 1978. Smith contributed to the sport as part of the coaching staff for the 1995 World Indoor Championship team in Barcelona, Spain. His impact was further recognized with inductions into the California Black Sports Hall of Fame (1996), the Bay Area Hall of Fame (1999), and the San Jose State University Sports Hall of Fame (1999). In 1999, he also received the prestigious Sportsman of the Millennium Award. From 2000 to 2001, both the County of Los Angeles and the State of Texas honored him with Commendation, Recognition, and Proclamation Awards. Additionally, the French Government named a gymnasium and a Youth Sports House in Paris in his honor. "With Drawn Arms," a documentary that uncovers his legacy, was an official selection at the Hamptons International and Tribeca Film Festivals.
Since the 19th Olympiad, Smith has built a distinguished career as a coach, educator, and activist, continuing to inspire future generations. After 37 years of teaching and educating children, 27 of which were spent as a faculty member at Santa Monica College, he retired in 2005 but continues to travel throughout various European and Asian nations, conducting seminars, clinics and delivering speeches in those locations, as well as on domestic college campuses.
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