Smith became an inspiration for athletes like Colin Kaepernick and LeBron James, who in recent years have used their platforms to take a stand against police brutality targeting Black people in America. The resulting documentary, With Drawn Arms, is a powerfully depicted deep-dive into the story of Tommie Smith, the record-breaking track star who won the 200-meter gold medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, only to suffer decades of consequences for his Black Power salute protesting racism and injustice during the “Star-Spangled Banner” at the height of the civil rights movement. There was not a huge movement in terms of supporting athlete protests,” Kaino, a conceptual artist and former chief creative officer for Napster who met Shahidi on a commercial shoot for the disruptive music service, tells Yahoo Entertainment.

“ Colin Kaepernick had not taken a knee yet. medalists Tommie Smith and John Carlos holding their gloved fists aloft on the winners’ platform as the national anthem played.įilmmakers Glenn Kaino and Afshin Shahidi spent seven years documenting the story behind the moment, which resonates still. The snapshot is historic and instantly recognizable. At left is Peter Norman of Australia who took second place. national anthem, after receiving their medals for first and third place in the men's 200m at the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games. athletes Tommie Smith (C) and John Carlos (R) raise their gloved fists in the Black Power salute to express their opposition to racism during the U.S.

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