6. Tommie Smith & John Carlos
At the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos made a historic stand during the medal ceremony for the 200-meter race. As the U.S. national anthem played, they each raised a black-gloved fist, symbolizing Black Power and protesting racial injustice. This act of defiance was met with boos from the audience and led to their expulsion from the Games by the International Olympic Committee. Their protest remains one of the most iconic moments in Olympic history, highlighting the intersection of sports and social activism. (history.com)
