Tommie Smith, American sprinter and football player; winner of 1968 Olympic 200m gold medal in a world record time

Tommie C. Smith is an American former track and field athlete and wide receiver in the American Football League. At the 1968 Summer Olympics, Smith, aged 24, won the 200-meter sprint finals and gold medal in 19.83 seconds – the first time the 20-second barrier was broken officially. His Black Power salute with John Carlos atop the medal podium caused controversy, as it was seen as politicizing the Olympic Games. It remains a symbolic moment in the history of the Black Power movement.

June 6 is the 157th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 208 days remain until the end of the year.