Tommie Smith, Olympian in '68 Black Power Salute, to Sell Gold Medal

Filed under: Track & FieldSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- Tommie Smith is selling the gold medal he won at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, where his Black Power salute on the podium shocked the sports world.

The former San Jose State runner has put his gold medal for the 200 meters and spikes up for auction at New York-based M.I.T. Memorabilia. The bid starts at $250,000, and the sale is scheduled to close Nov. 4.

The 66-year-old Smith, who now lives in Georgia, declined comment to the San Jose Mercury News.

M.I.T.'s Gary Zimet says Smith is selling the medal for the money but also because he wants to share it with the public.

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