BEIJING, Aug 12, 2008 (AFP) - America’s 100 metres world champion Tyson Gay expressed his respect for 200m gold medallist Tommie Smith and bronze medallist John Carlos for their raised black glove fist at the medals ceremony in favour of black rights on the 40th anniversary of probably the most famous political protest in sporting history.
``I understand what they did and stood for,’’ said Gay, who is one of the favourites to take the 100m here.
``It was a big deal and I have a lot of respect for what they went through and what they achieved.’’
Gay, who has fully recovered from the hamstring injury which he suffered during the 200m at the US Trials in early July, said that the duo, who were eventually expelled from the team and banned from the Village, were becoming more of a known feature on the circuit.
``Some of the athletes know who they are and what they did,’’ said Gay.
``I’m 26 and just about know what they did, though, there are a lot of athletes younger than me who are still getting to know of the huge steps they took.
``They’ve (Smith and Carlos) have been around the Penn Relays and last year’s athlete of the year awards, so their faces are getting known now.’’
Gay admitted that athletes these days were reluctant to express their views, whether political or social, in comparison not just to Smith and Carlos but also to more recent sprint stars.
``A lot of people play it so safe,’’ said Gay, whose main rivals for the 100m crown looks like being Jamaican duo world record holder Usain Bolt and former record holder Asafa Powell.
``You don’t want to offend people or rile them whether voicing political or social points of view.’’
The anniversary of Smith and Carlos’ protest couldn’t have been more timely given the debate leading up to the Beijing Olympics about whether athletes competing here could protest or not over China’s human rights record, especially over Tibet and Darfur.
Some, like the British authorities, tried to force the team to sign papers forbidding them to protest, which they refused to do.
The IOC’s line according to President Jacques Rogge is that it is fine to protest but within strict guidelines.
``As regards the athletes we have a rule 51 where athletes cannot make political, religious or commercial propaganda or demonstrations,’’ said Rogge.
``They have to respect the country’s laws and there must be none in the stadia or the podium. They can express their views in the mixed zone, but not propaganda.
``We will, however, apply the rule with common sense.
``They (the athletes) will have the right to be heard and then we will see what action has to be taken.’’
As of Monday there had been no obvious sign of protest from any athlete.