Photo: Associated Press—Public domain
Wayne Collett
- Born
- Oct 20, 1949 (77 years old)
- Birthplace
- Los Angeles, United States
- Events
- 400 m · 400 m hurdles
- Height
- 1.88 m
- Weight
- 84 kg
Wayne Curtis Collett (October 20, 1949 – March 17, 2010) was an African-American Olympic sprinter.
Collett won a silver medal in the 400 m at the 1972 Summer Olympics During the medal ceremony Collett and winner Vincent Matthews talked to each other, shuffled their feet, stroked their chins and fidgeted while the US national anthem played, leading many to believe it was a Black Power protest like the 1968 Olympics Black Power salute by Tommie Smith and John Carlos.
During the medal ceremony Collett and winner Vincent Matthews talked to each other, shuffled their feet, stroked their chins and fidgeted while the US national anthem played, leading many to believe it was a Black Power protest like the 1968 Olympics Black Power salute by Tommie Smith and John Carlos The Associated Press noted that the casual behavior of Matthews and Collett during the playing of the anthem was interpreted as "disrespectful", and described the conduct as follows:.
As of Oct 27, 2026: 400 m 44.1h (#272 all-time), 400 m hurdles 48.9h, 1972 season best 44.1h (Jul 9, 1972, Olympiastadion, München (GER)) · Olympic Games: 1 silver · 77 years old
Personal bests
WA points calculator →Medals
| Competitions | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympic Games | – | 1 | – | 1 |
Progression
| Season | Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | 400m | 44.1h | – | Jul 9, 1972 | Olympiastadion, München (GER) |
| 1971 | 400m | 44.4h | – | Jun 26, 1971 | – |
| 1970 | 400m | 44.9h | – | Jul 9, 1970 | – |
| 1970 | 400mH | 48.9h | – | Jun 20, 1970 | – |
| 1968 | 200m | 20.2h | – | Aug 31, 1968 | – |
| 1968 | 400m | 45.04 | – | Sep 13, 1968 | Echo Summit (USA) |