Matchbox Labels – The Olympics Mexico 1968 (via Russia!) – Part 1

This very sharply designed set of matchbox labels for the Olympics in Mexico 1968, is curiously from Russia, not Mexico. There is another post to follow as there are too many for 1 post.

Great colours – love the combination of black and orange combined with simple, powerful logo design. If anyone knows of the designer I would love to know.

This Olympics has become known for the “Black Power Salute” by American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who’s lives were never the same after this event.

The third Athlete, Peter Norman of Australia was ostracised and banned from competition for 2 years on his return. The interesting story of the whole event and its aftermath can be read on Wikipedia.

The 2 articles I’ve linked to Wiki (one on the salute and one on Peter Norman) outline some of the sad consequences of this salute….including even as late as 2000 Peter Norman’s being asked by the USA to attend Olympics in Sydney because Australia overlooked him.

In quite a fascinating side-story – a mural of the photograph of the salute painted on the wall of a house in Newtown, by an unknown Artist, was saved from demolition and heritage listed in 2010 as a work of significance to the area. See last photograph.