After U.S. runners Tommie Smith and John Carlos won gold and bronze medals, respectively, at the 200 meter race during the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, they realized that they'd have the world's attention when it came time to accept their medals at the podium. Subsequently, each donned one black glove each, and raised their fists (among other symbolic gestures, including wearing black socks with no shoes, a scarf, an unzipped jacket and a bead necklace), which were all meant to signify a variety of human rights statements. 

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