Today in Labor History October 18, 1968: International Olympic Committee president Avery Brundage attempted to strip American Olympic track medalists John Carlos & Tommie Smith of their awards for giving the "black power" salute on October 16th at the México City Olympics. The IOC claimed their actions were “a deliberate and violent breach of the fundamental principles of the Olympic spirit.” However, Brundage, who was president of the US Olympic committee in 1936, made no objections against Nazi salutes during the Berlin games.
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