Tommie Smith Olympic Shorts

Tee's T.S. Olympic Shorts

Personalise the name on the chest, flag inside the box or any other customisations you can think of! 

Rewind to 1968 when a simple, but timeless, gesture defied the "rules" and caused a fallout of Olympic proportion...

Tommie Smith & John Carlos peacefully protested against racial injustice and in support of human rights movements after winning the Men's 200m race at the 1968 Mexico Olympics. This caused both men, including ally Norman Smith, to be ostracised, removed from the IOC or black-listed from future Athletic events.

"As the athletes waited to go to the podium, Carlos and Smith told Norman that they planned to use their win as an opportunity to protest. Smith and Carlos decided to appear on the podium bearing symbols of protest and strength: black-socked feet without shoes to bring attention to Black poverty, beads to protest lynchings, and raised, black-gloved fists to represent their solidarity and support with Black people and oppressed people around the world." - (History)

 Fast Forward to 2020 where the same human rights issues were front and centre for the world to see while it stood still in the height of the pandemic. A year later than planned, organisers of the Tokyo 2020 have announced limited forms of protest will be allowed from the athletes.

The infamous image of all three podium athletes came to mind with the current climate times this year and the IOC banning certain forms of protest. It makes me wonder how athletes will use their platform this year.

If you'd like any collection in a full tracksuit then order here and drop a note when ordering. Email TeesCaribbean@gmail.com or use our Contact Form for Baby & Kids sizing or anything else.