John Carlos

John Carlos

John Carlos in 2012
Personal information
Born	(1945-06-05) June 5, 1945 (age 71) Harlem, New York, United States
Height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight	187 lb (85 kg)
Sport
Sport	Sprint running
Club	Santa Clara Valley Youth Village
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	100 y – 9.1 (1969) 100 m – 10.0 (1968) 200 m – 19.92 (1968) 440 y – 47.0 (1967)
Medal record Representing the  United States Olympic Games 1968 Mexico City 200 m Pan American Games 1967 Winnipeg 200 m

John Wesley Carlos (born June 5, 1945) is an American former track and field athlete and professional football player. He was the bronze-medal winner in the 200 meters at the 1968 Summer Olympics and his Black Power salute on the podium with Tommie Smith caused much political controversy. He went on to tie the world record in the 100 yard dash and beat the 200 meters world record (although the latter achievement was never certified). After his track career, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Canadian Football League but retired due to injury.

He became involved with the United States Olympic Committee and helped to organize the 1984 Summer Olympics. Following this he became a track coach at Palm Springs High School. He was inducted into the USA Track & Field Hall of Fame in 2003.

He is the author, with sportswriter Dave Zirin, of The John Carlos Story: The Sports Moment That Changed the World, published in 2011 by Haymarket Books.

Born in Harlem, New York, to Cuban parents, John Carlos was a gifted high school athlete and outstanding student who went on to study at East Texas State University on a full track-and-field scholarship. His victories in the 100- and 200-meter dash and as a member of the 4×400-meter relay helped lead ETSU to the 1967 Lone Star Conference Championship. After his first year, Carlos enrolled at San Jose State University where he was trained by future National Track & Field Hall of Fame coach, Lloyd (Bud) Winter.