1968 Mexico Olympics

[Tuscano]

During their medal ceremony in the Olympic Stadium in Mexico City on October 16, 1968, two African-American athletes, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, each raised a black-gloved fist during the playing of the US national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner". While on the podium, Smith and Carlos, who had won gold and bronze medals respectively in the 200-meter running event of the 1968 Summer Olympics, turned to face the US flag and then kept their hands raised until the anthem had finished. In addition, Smith, Carlos, and Australian silver medalist Peter Norman all wore human-rights badges on their jackets.

LOL! I have told this story before. The track is Varsity, B's, and C's. Our new coach believed there was only one division that counted—VARSITY!!!

Thus...I was suddenly a varsity player. Well, that made sense. Only varsity went to state!

It worked for me! Mile relay! 4X4 100 Our school rocked!

Mile relay & 4 X 4 100 ...Two blacks, one Italian, a Jew, a Greek, and...others

My mindset? I was usually the third runner in the relay. By this time, my coaches knew me. LOL! I would love a challenge if I were the third runner! I set more personal records in relays than flat-out sprints!

That said...I always preferred hand-to-hand combat!!! One on one! True to this day. Despite my now limited abilities...

Not so for DRUNK ME! My daughter's friends have a nickname for my drunk self: "Sugar Ray!"  Drunk me challenged several bouncers on a drunk walk through Walnut Creek...OMG!

That said...my eyes narrow...I am SURE they deserved it!