Iconic podium protestor Smith puts medal up for auction

Tommie Smith, famous for his iconic Black Power salute at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, has put his gold medal and running shoes up for auction with a New York-based memorabilia vendor.

Tommie Smith, famous for his iconic Black Power salute at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, has put his gold medal and running shoes up for auction with a New York-based memorabilia vendor.

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Smith and bronze medallist John Carlos were expelled from the Games for their human rights protest on the podium, where the American 200 metres runners bowed their heads and offered a raised-fist salute wearing single black gloves.

M.I.T. Memorabilia's Gary Zimet has set the initial bid at $250,000 with the sale scheduled to close on Nov. 4.

Smith, now 66 and living in Georgia declined to comment on the auction to the San Jose Mercury News. "He feels that what he did ruined his life in many ways, and he simply doesn't want to put himself in the media spotlight," Zimet said.