Tommie Smith and John Carlos, the U.S. sprinters whose raised-fist salutes at the 1968 Olympics are an ageless sign of race-inspired protest, will join the U.S. Olympic team at the White House this week for its meeting with President Obama.
Smith and Carlos were sent home from the Olympics in Mexico City after raising their black-gloved fists in a symbolic protest during the U.S. national anthem. They called it a "human rights salute."
USOC CEO Scott Blackmun asked them to serve as ambassadors as the federation tries to bring more diversity to its own ranks. They will join the team at the White House on Thursday, and also at an awards celebration Wednesday night in Washington. The sprinters have been referenced frequently in the recent protests, spurred by 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, during national anthems at NFL and other games. A few NFL players have raised fists during the anthem this season.
"I think Tommie and John have played an important and positive role in the evolution of our attitudes about diversity and inclusion, not only in the United States but around the world," Blackmun said Friday night at a dinner to celebrate U.S. teams in Brazil this summer.
Pauley to replace Osgood on CBS
Jane Pauley will succeed Charles Osgood as anchor of the "Sunday Morning" telecast. The bow-tied Osgood told viewers at the end of his last show after 22 years that Pauley will be the next host. She's been a contributor to the show since 2014. Pauley will be only the third host of the program since its 1979 start with Charles Kuralt. "Sunday Morning" averages nearly 6 million viewers a week, the most popular morning news program on the weekend.
Osgood leaves on a high note; ratings have increased for four straight years and this past season was his most-watched as host. "Sunday Morning" devoted its program Sunday to a send-off for the 83-year-old Osgood, who will be an occasional contributor and continue his radio work. "It's a great honor to be given the chance to further our show's legacy on excellence," Pauley said. "I look forward to bringing loyal viewers the kind of engaging, original reporting that has made the broadcast so irresistible for so long." Pauley, 65, was host of NBC's "Today" show for 13 years, ending in 1989. She spent a decade as an anchor at "Dateline NBC" and tried her own syndicated talk show in 2004.
Associated Press
