Something In The Air: American Passion and Defiance in the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, Hoffer - B

              The 1968 Olympics  came at perilous a time. "Not since WorldWar II had there been so much deadly commotion throughout the world. Not since the Civil War had the United States been so riven." America had been roiled for years over racial tensions and the war in Vietnam. Athletes historically were often isolated from society's issues, but 1968 would be different.

              Speed City, San Jose State's track team, "would have a profound effect on culture, history even, that went well beyond sports." Its team included Harry Edwards, Tommie Smith, Lee Evans, and John Carlos. Smith, Lee, and Evans were the fastest sprinters in the country.  The national media focus was on the all-American boy from Kansas and record holder in the mile, Jim Ryun. On the other end of the spectrum was the drug-dealing juvenile delinquent from Queens, Bob Beamon, now at UTEP and setting long jump records. From Tennessee State, the only women's powerhouse program in the US, came virtually all the women sprinters, although pretty much no one paid them any attention.

              Harry Edwards, 6'8" and 275 lbs., turned down an NFL offer, obtained a graduate degree at Cornell, returned to SJS to teach and speak out on behalf of black athletes, and called for an Olympic boycott. The older black athletes were opposed; the younger ones uncertain and divided. Lew Alcindor was the most prominent boycotter. Although Edwards was supported by the all-white Harvard crew team, there were few takers amongst the young blacks, and he withdrew the boycott in August.

              "Innovation in sports is exceedingly rare."The curve ball, the jump shot, the forward pass are all unique examples. So too is the Fosbury flop. Dick was struggling to clear the minimums in high school meets in Oregon so he threw himself over facing upwards. Everyone ran to the rulebook, but the only rule was that the jumper jumped off one foot. The Fosbury flop was legal and he won the NCAA's in the spring of 1968 with a jump of 7'2 1/2".

             The Americans flew to Mexico City thinking about and talking over how to protest, but without any kind of plan. Mexico was the first developing world country to host an Olympics, but it was the altitude of 7350 feet that was the leading cause of anxiety about 1968. On the first day, six runners did not finish the 10,000 meters and the Australian favorite passed out and needed to be revived with oxygen. Only four men finished the final. The first three were Africans who lived at altitude.

             Before the 200m final, Tommie Smith was lying in the training room with an iced groin, uncertain he would run. Of course, he did, and he set an Olympic record. Fellow Speed City athlete, John Carlos, took 3rd. In the twenty minutes between the race and the ceremony, they decided on the black gloves. They raised them as the anthem began. One of the most powerful acts of defiance in US history was met with vituperative hatred immediately. They were suspended by the USOC and sent home. The reaction of the IOC and the USOC exploded interest in the actions of Smith and Carlos. Fearful of other acts of rebellion, the USOC threatened every remaining athlete. The next two men to medal were Beamon and Boston in the long jump. For the medal ceremony, Bob Beamon wore black sox and no shoes, Ralph Boston was barefoot. Lee Evans, Larry James and Ron Freeman swept the 400m and wore black berets on the podium. The men's 4 x 400m relay winners all wore black gloves on their podium and refused to shake the hand of the USOC president. On the final day of the track and field competition, Ryun garnered a silver and Fosbury a gold.

          With the track and field athletes gone, the second week settled down. "The Olympic spirit, as it was interpreted by white authorities, reasserted its soothing self." The week went smoothly, but the closing ceremony did not. At Tokyo four years earlier, the athletes were allowed to wander around instead of marching in and out. The IOC was offended by people blowing kisses to Hirohito, who laughed and thought it funny. For 1968, they would revert to marching only seven athletes behind each country's flag bearer. To the chagrin of IOC president Brundage, the athletes in the stands flooded the infield. "There was nothing to be done for the moment anyway, and the revelry continued for a half hour, the infield full of thousands of athletes now, one on shoulders, some snatching flags, others wearing sombreros."

         For many who had disrespected the games, there were consequences, but none greater than those faced by Smith and Carlos. "They came home as outcasts, terrorists, when they might have been welcomed as heroes."

         This has been an intriguing read, especially for me, as it is probably the only Summer Olympics in 62 years I didn't see. Colleges back in the day had few, if any, television sets around. Thanks to my brother Bill who suggested the book, and tells me that Smith and Carlos will light the fire in LA in 2028. They'll be in their mid-80's - I hope they make it. Hell, I hope I make it.