The Olympic medal earned by the man standing on top of the podium depicted outside of Clark Hall is up for sale.
Tommie Smith, former SJSU athlete and 1968 gold medal winner, reportedly placed the gold medal on an auction list in New York City.
Smith and fellow Spartan John Carlos held their fists in the air during the medal ceremony in Mexico City as a call for black equality.
The top finisher in ’68 refused comment to media sources, including the San Jose Mercury News. However, Merc writer Elliott Almond spoke with a representative from M.I.T. Memorabilia – the company auctioning the medal.
“Part of the reason is for money, but also he feels it is time to share it with the sports-collecting memorabilia public,” M.I.T.’s Gary Zimet told Almond. Zimet, who Almond was referred to by Smith’s wife, added that Smith does not want to give any statements on the issue.
