Archive · 29 Sep 2025
Sporting Protests at Olympics and AFCON
Sometimes, winners use the trophy ceremony to show their unhappiness.
In 1968, at the Olympics, two runners raised a fist to protest unfairness against black people.
In 1972, the US basketball team refused silver medals to protest a bad call.
Years later, Ghana's football team did the same after losing a match.
These were ways athletes used their fame to make a statement.
The Black Power salute occurred at the 1968 Olympics.
Two black athletes raised a fist to protest racial discrimination.
The US men’s basketball team refused silver medals at the 1972 Olympics.
Ghana’s men’s football team echoed the act at the 1992 AFCON.
These protests occurred during trophy presentation ceremonies.
- Who
- Athletes and teams at various sporting events
- What
- Protests during trophy presentations.
- When
- 1968, 1972, and 1992.
- Where
- Olympic Games and AFCON.
- Why
- To protest racial discrimination and controversial referring.
- Event
- Olympic Games and AFCON
- Year of Black Power Salute
- 1968
- Sport
- Multiple
- US Basketball Team Protest Year
- 1972
- Ghana's Protest Year
- 1992