Colorado Springs, Colo.----- San Jose State University icons Tommie Smith and John Carlos are two of the honorees named to the 2019 class of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame.
"The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame represents the pinnacle of competitive excellence in our nation, and its inspiring members are champions who have transcended sport through the legacy they leave both on and off the field of play," said USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland. "It's an honor to welcome the class of 2019 into this prestigious and celebrated honor roll. We thank them for their impact on sport and society, and for continuing to inspire the next generation of athletes and fans."
Smith and Carlos, members of the 1968 U.S. Olympics track and field team, won a gold and bronze medal, respectively, in the men's 200-meter dash before being expelled from the Olympic Village in Mexico City for their demonstration on the victory stand in support of human rights.
"We thank them (Smith and Carlos) for their impact on sport and society, and for continuing to inspire the next generation of athletes and fans," Hirshland added in a comment to NBC Sports.
Paralympians Candace Cable, Erin Popovich and Chris Waddell; basketball player Lisa Leslie, gymnast Nastia Liukin, beach volleyball player Misty May-Treanor, speedskater Apolo Anton Ohno, and swimmer Dara Torres join Smith and Carlos as the athletes being inducted this year. Diving coach Ron O'Brien, the 1988 U.S. Olympic women's ice hockey team, and special contributor Tim Nugent complete the 2019 class of honorees.
Smith and Carlos become the second and third San Jose State athletes named to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame. In 1989, two-time Olympic Games gold medal winner Lee Evans, a Spartan teammate of Smith and Carlos, was honored with induction.
This year's ceremony takes place on Friday, November 1, at the U.S in Colorado Springs, Colo.
