Olympic Project for Human Rights
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The Olympic Project for Human Rights or OPHR was an organisation established by sociologist Harry Edwards. The aim of the organisation was to protest racial apartheid in the US and South Africa and racism in sport generally. Most members of the OPHR were African American athletes or community leaders.
The group advocated a boycott of the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games. Whilst the boycott largely failed to materialise, African American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos and Australian sprinter Peter Norman wore OPHR patches during the medal ceremony for the 200 meter race. Tommie Smith and John Carlos also raised their hands in a black power salute during the playing of the US national anthem. Despite being a primarily African American organisation, the OPHR was supported by white athletes such as Australia's Peter Norman and members of the US rowing team.
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