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What did African-American athletes in Mexico Olympics do in order to draw the attention against the social divisions of USA

In the medal ceremony of the 200 metres race in the 1968 Olympics held at Mexico City, the two athletes, Tommie Smith and John Carlos stood with clenched fists upraised and heads bowed, while the American national anthem was played. They were African-Americans. They had won the gold and bronze medals respectively. They received their medals wearing black socks and no shoes to represent Black Poverty. With this gesture, they ried to draw international attention to racial discrimination in the United States. The black-gloved and raised clenched fists were meant to symbolise Black Power.


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