Puma Unveils More of the Tommie Smith Collection!

PreraceJitters.com originally brought you news of the Tommie Smith shoes by PUMA. The German-based shoe giant has released more styles in the collection to honor 1968 track legend Tommie Smith.

Puma’s relationship with Tommie Smith dates back to the 1960’s. He was a PUMA sponsored athlete while winning the gold medal in the 200 at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics in a world record time of 19.83 at the time.

I love that the “Gold Clydes” have replica gold medals and the winning 200-meter time on the shoe tongue. The “Blue Clydes” are the shoes that Tommie wore on the podium in the 1968 Olympic games. They have been lined with a metallic gold leather, a reference to his gold medal win.

By Jay Hicks, a.k.a. Track Evangelist.

Tommie Smith 1968 Suedes

It’s about time that John Carlos and Tommie Smith finally got some love. Puma is paying a small tribute to the two former track stars with “Tommie Smith" Suede Pack.

During the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City when newly crowned 200-meter champion and record holder Tommie Smith raised his fist on the podium, along with bronze medal winner John Carlos, the controversy jumped off.

The barefoot athletes’ salute was meant to represent the civil rights movement and the struggle of African Americans. Tommie Smith and John Carlos were kicked out of the Olympic village, suspended from the U.S. Olympic team, and summarily sent home from the games.

To commemorate these brave men, a two sneaker collection of Suedes will release later this month with a repeating fist monogram along the upper and include golden accents. Look for the shoes to be available for purchase in August 2008.

By Jay Hicks, a.k.a. Track Evangelist