For sale: Smith’s ‘black power’ salute gold

This remains one of the most recognised demonstrations of protest and resistance in the history of United States athletics. Why would Smith,66,want to sell anything associated with this historic moment? Especially his gold medal? Was Smith in financial trouble?

David Steele,a columnist for AOL who wrote Silent Gesture with Smith,doesn’t think so. “I never got the sense that he did it because he was hurting for money,” Steele said. “I worry with this news getting out now that everyone is going to get that impression. Unless something has changed in the last year,I don’t think it’s the case.”

For many of us,the gesture became a symbol of defiance. For Smith and Carlos,who suffered tremendously — they couldn’t find employment and received constant threats and hate mail — the medal became the symbol of a nightmare. Perhaps by selling it,Smith will find closure,though the reality is he and Carlos will forever be defined by that moment.

“He’s never come close to regretting anything he did,but clearly everything that has gone on since then has caused him a lot of pain,” Steele said. “He still gets death threats,people harassing him. On the other hand,he is 66 years old. He may not be thinking about it as an object he has to cling to. He might put it to better use.”

Gary J. Zimet,a representative of Moments in Time Memorabilia,is also selling the shoes Smith wore that night. Zimet said he contacted Smith a year ago and asked if he still had the gold medal and if he would sell it. “He said,‘No way,’ “ Zimet said. Zimet persisted. He flew to Smith’s home in Georgia three weeks ago and closed the deal. “I know he wants to fund a youth initiative and a good portion of the money off the sale would go toward that,” Zimet said.

What is the value of Smith’s medal? Some sports auction houses estimate it might sell for $8,000 to $10,000. Zimet said the bidding would start at $250,000.

Smith would not comment on the proposed sale,but his wife,Delois,said,“If it doesn’t bring the amount that Tommie has in mind,believe me,it will not be sold.” Zimet has also approached Carlos,who won the bronze. He sent an e-mail asking whether Carlos would be interested in selling his medal directly to him or allowing Zimet to sell it for him. “I haven’t heard back,” Zimet said.

He probably won’t. On Thursday,Carlos said he had no interest in selling anything. “The guy shouldn’t even approach me,” Carlos said. “I’m holding on to mine. I’m not interested in selling mine in any way shape or form. My philosophy is this is my material that I have for my kids. Whatever they care to do with it after I’m gone,that’s their business.”

Smith and Carlos were in Orlando earlier this week,and Carlos said Smith never mentioned auctioning his medal. “He won the medal. It’s his medal. He’s entitled to do with it as he feels. He earned it and it’s his responsibility to deal with it as he sees fit. I hope that he would consider what he’s doing but at the same time I have no disrespect for how he’s doing what he’s doing. It’s his medal,and it’s his choice.”

In an ideal world,someone would buy Smith’s gold medal and his shoes and give them back — as a gift. Integrity should not — must not — be for sale.