When Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists on the medal podium in protest at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, they had no idea that their actions would spark a legacy of athlete activism. Now 76, Smith discusses the moment as the fight against racism and injustice continues nearly 52 years later.
Long before the 2020 Summer Games were postponed by a deadly pandemic, Japan was chosen as the first Asian host nation—then the 1940 Tokyo Olympics went up in smoke. Eight decades later, approaching what should have been the closing ceremonies, here we are again.