John Carlos

USAUSAMen
Birth dateJun 5, 1945
BirthplaceNew York City, United States
Height1.93 m
Weight85 kg

John Wesley Carlos (born June 5, 1945) is an 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, where he displayed the Black Power salute on the podium with Tommie Smith.

He went on to tie the world record in the 100-yard dash and beat the 200 meters world record (although the latter achievement was never certified). After his track career, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Canadian Football League but retired due to injury.

He became involved with the United States Olympic Committee and helped to organize the 1984 Summer Olympics. Following this, he became a track coach at Palm Springs High School. He was inducted into the USA Track & Field Hall of Fame in 2003. He is the author, with sportswriter Dave Zirin, of The John Carlos Story: The Sports Moment That Changed the World, published in 2011 by Haymarket Books.

Key facts
200 m
19.92
100 m
9.9h
1970 season best
20.2h
Mar 17, 1970
Medals
Olympic Games: 1 bronze
Age
81 years old

As of Sep 12, 2026: 200 m 19.92 (#80 all-time), 100 m 9.9h, 1970 season best 20.2h (Mar 17, 1970) · Olympic Games: 1 bronze · 81 years old

PB

Personal bests

* Wind-assisted (> 2.0 m/s)

🏅

Medals

🥇🥈🥉Total
Olympic Games--11

Performance Charts

Season bests

SeasonDisciplineResultWindDateTrendCompetitions
1970
200m
20.2h-Mar 17, 1970
-
1969
100m
9.9h+3.2Sep 12, 1969
Stuttgart (GER)
1969
200m
20.0h+0.2Sep 12, 1969
-
1968
100m
10.0h-Aug 31, 1968
-
1968
200m
19.92+1.9Sep 12, 1968
Echo Summit (USA)
1967
200m
20.2h-Mar 11, 1967
-

1970

2 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
200m
20.2HT-May 2San José
200m
20.2HT-Mar 17Melbourne

1969

7 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
200m
20.0HT+0.2Sep 12South Lake Tahoe, CA
100m
9.9HT+3.2Sep 12South Lake Tahoe, CA
100m
10.32-Jul 30Stuttgart
200m
20.2HT+0.3Jun 29Miami AAU Championships, Miami, FL
200m
20.1HT+2.5Jun 29Miami AAU Championships, Miami, FL
200m
20.1HT+1.0Jun 21Knoxville NCAA Championships, Knoxville, TN
200m
20.2HT+2.6Mar 8San José

1968

10 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
200m
20.10+0.9Oct 16The XIX Olympic Games, Estadio Olímpico, Ciudad de México
200m
20.12+0.2Oct 16The XIX Olympic Games, Estadio Olímpico, Ciudad de México
200m
20.54+0.0Oct 15The XIX Olympic Games, Estadio Olímpico, Ciudad de México
200m
20.69+0.0Oct 15The XIX Olympic Games, Estadio Olímpico, Ciudad de México
200m
19.92+1.9Sep 12Echo Summit
200m
20.1HT-Sep 11Echo Summit
200m
20.28+0.3Sep 11Echo Summit
200m
20.1HT-Aug 31Echo Summit
100m
10.0HT-Aug 31Echo Summit
200m
20.34+1.5Jul 4Paris

1967

3 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
200m
20.7HT-Oct 17Ciudad de México Pre-Olympic Meeting, Ciudad de México
200m
20.9HT-Aug 12London
200m
20.2HT-Mar 11Commerce, TX

Honours

🥇

Knoxville NCAA Championships

200 Metres

1969
🥉

The XIX Olympic Games

200 Metres

1968
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is John Carlos's 200 m personal best?

John Carlos's 200 m personal best is 19.92, set on Sep 12, 1968 in Echo Summit (USA), #80 on the all-time list.

Which events does John Carlos compete in?

John Carlos competes in the 200 m and 100 m.

How did John Carlos perform in 1970?

1970 season best: 20.2h, set on Mar 17, 1970.

How many medals has John Carlos won?

John Carlos has won 1 Olympic Games medal.