At the Olympic Games in Mexico in 1968, two black athletes made a significant political statement by bowing their heads and raising their fists on the podium in a symbol of black power.

One of the men, John Carlos, told the BBC's sports correspondent Tim Franks that he wanted to show his "sadness and disappointment" with America. "We wore no shoes to illustrate poverty", he explained.

"It's difficult to say politics and sport don't mix", the former athlete adds. He believes that playing the national anthem instead of the Olympic anthem when a team wins is a political statement.

Get in touch with Today via email , Twitter or Facebook or text us on 84844.