They were criticized by their home state, their medals were taken back, but their action gained international attention towards the discrimination.
Later, to honor this valor of the athletes the San Jones State University installed a 20ft sculpture of Tommie Smith and John Carlos.
An Australian athlete named Peter Norman supported them by wearing a human rights badge on his shirt during the ceremony.
Norman suffered criticism for his action, he was barred from Olympics by his own team. But his action was recognized and their action gained international attention towards the discrimination.