On View
Sports Gallery
Exhibition
Sports: Leveling the Playing Field
Manufactured by
Russell Athletics, American, founded 1902
Worn by
Smith, Tommie, American, born 1944
Date
1968
Medium
synthetic fiber and elastic
Dimensions
H x W x D (On form): 16 × 18 × 10 1/2 in. (40.6 × 45.7 × 26.7 cm)
Description
These white athletic shorts were worn by Tommie Smith while competing in events representing Team USA at the 1968 Olympic Games. The shorts are made from a white synthetic fabric with red, white, and blue striped woven tape sewn along the outer side seams and around the hem of the leg openings. The shorts have an elastic waist band. They are not lined. A manufacturer's label reading "Russell / Southern / Co." with size and style number is sewn to the interior center back below the waist band. A paper label is attached with string to the interior proper left side seam with black handwritten text reading "L-84-7:1".
Place used
Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico, Latin America, North and Central America
Classification
Clothing-Historical
Type
athletic shorts
sports uniforms
Topic
Activism
Black power
Civil rights
Clothing and dress
Men
Olympics
Sports
Track and field
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2015.231.1.2
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd51bcb8e3e-e86d-424a-9574-564633667121

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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