Olympic Black Power

San José State University says the empty step on this podium invites viewers to imagine themselves alongside the athletes. At San José State University, Rigo 23's Victory Salute shows two of the university's own students, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, as they stood on the medal podium for the 200-metre final at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, fists raised in what became known as the Black power salute.

SJSU's public art tour describes the work as a larger-than-life fiberglass and mosaic monument, dated 2005 and commissioned by the university, placed centrally on Tower Lawn. Smith took first place and Carlos third on 16 October 1968; the university says they planned the gesture to draw attention to injustice and inequality faced by Black Americans, and that they were greeted with boos and threats. It notes the gloved hands and shoeless feet as signs that the gesture was deliberate.