Olympic Project for Human Rights
Encyclopedia
The Olympic Project for Human Rights or OPHR was an organisation established by sociologist Harry Edwards and others, including noted Olympians Tommie Smith
and John Carlos
, in October 1967. The aim of the organization was to protest racial segregation
in the United States
and elsewhere (such as South Africa
), and racism
in sport generally. Smith noted that the project was about human rights, of "all humanity, even those who denied us ours." Most members of the OPHR were African American athletes or community leaders.
The group advocated a boycott of the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games. Whilst the boycott largely failed to materialize, African American
sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos
and Australian sprinter Peter Norman
wore OPHR patches during the medal ceremony for the 200 meter race. Tommie Smith and John Carlos also raised their hands in a black power salute
during the playing of the US national anthem. Despite being a primarily African American organization, the OPHR was supported by white
athletes such as Norman and members of the Harvard University rowing team.
Tommie Smith
Tommie Smith is an African American former track & field athlete and wide receiver in the American Football League. At the 1968 Summer Olympics, Smith won the 200-meter dash finals in 19.83 seconds – the first time the 20 second barrier was broken...
and John Carlos
John Carlos
John Wesley Carlos is a Cuban American former track and field athlete and professional football player. He was the bronze-medal winner in the 200 meters at the 1968 Summer Olympics and his black power salute on the podium with Tommie Smith caused much political controversy...
, in October 1967. The aim of the organization was to protest racial segregation
Racial segregation
Racial segregation is the separation of humans into racial groups in daily life. It may apply to activities such as eating in a restaurant, drinking from a water fountain, using a public toilet, attending school, going to the movies, or in the rental or purchase of a home...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and elsewhere (such as South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
), and racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
in sport generally. Smith noted that the project was about human rights, of "all humanity, even those who denied us ours." Most members of the OPHR were African American athletes or community leaders.
The group advocated a boycott of the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games. Whilst the boycott largely failed to materialize, African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos
John Carlos
John Wesley Carlos is a Cuban American former track and field athlete and professional football player. He was the bronze-medal winner in the 200 meters at the 1968 Summer Olympics and his black power salute on the podium with Tommie Smith caused much political controversy...
and Australian sprinter Peter Norman
Peter Norman
Peter George Norman was an Australian track athlete best known for winning the silver medal in the 200 metres at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. His time of 20.06 seconds still stands as the Australian 200m record. He was a five-time Australian 200m champion...
wore OPHR patches during the medal ceremony for the 200 meter race. Tommie Smith and John Carlos also raised their hands in a black power salute
1968 Olympics Black Power salute
The 1968 Olympics Black Power salute involved the African American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos giving the Black power salute at the Olympic Stadium in Mexico City...
during the playing of the US national anthem. Despite being a primarily African American organization, the OPHR was supported by white
White people
White people is a term which usually refers to human beings characterized, at least in part, by the light pigmentation of their skin...
athletes such as Norman and members of the Harvard University rowing team.