From the inception of the modern Olympic Games, in 1896, these athletic contests have always been political. African American athletes have found varied ways to use the Olympics to advocate for social transformation. Some athletes let their athletic accomplishments speak for them. Others used the platform to demonstrate against racial injustice, display grace and beauty, and build meaningful alliances. The National Museum of African American History and Culture celebrates these Olympians.

The 1896 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the I Olympiad, was the first international Olympics Games held in modern history. Organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which had been created by Pierre de Coubertin, it was held in Athens, Greece, from 6 to 15 April, 1896. Fourteen nations and 241 athletes (all male) took part in the games. Participants were all European, or living in Europe, with the exception of the United States team.

The 1904 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the III Olympiad) was celebrated in St. Louis, MO from Aug 29 until Sept 3, at what is now known as Francis Field, on the campus of Washington University. It was the first time that the Olympic Games were held outside Europe. In 1904 hurdler George Coleman Poage became the first African American to win an Olympic medal. Since then, success at the Games has been a symbol of achievement that transcended the sports world for African Americans.

Nazi leader Adolph Hitler attempted to use the 1936 Summer Olympics held in Berlin, Germany to support his notion of Aryan racial supremacy. The 18 African American athletes from the US, including Jesse Owens, helped undermine Hitler's claims. Owens won four gold medals in track and field in a historic performance. High-paying endorsements were rare for African American athletes at the time, and Owens struggled to make a living, yet he extolled sports as a path toward social change.

The 1948 Summer Olympics, (the Games of the XIV Olympiad), was held in London, United Kingdom from 29 July to 14 August 1948. At these games, high jumper Alice Coachman became the first African American woman to win a gold medal. Sprinter Harrison Dillard won the 100 meter dash at the London Games. These two medalists and those that followed demonstrated both athletic achievement and the hope that each victory would bring the African American community closer to equality and racial justice.

The 1952 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XV Olympiad, were held in Helsinki, Finland, from July 19 to August 3, 1952. Harrison Dillard became the only man to win gold medals in sprinting and hurdling events, winning the 100-meter dash in London in 1948 and the 110-meter hurdles here in Helsinki in 1952.

The 1956 Summer Olympics, (the XVI Olympiad), held in Melbourne, Australia, were the first staged in the Southern Hemisphere and Oceania.The Women's 4x100m Relay team won Bronze. The team, comprised of Isabelle Daniels, Mae Faggs, Margaret Matthews, and Wilma Rudolph, all attended Tennessee State University. The TSU Tigerbelles sent many representatives to the Olympics over the years. During Ed Temple's 40 years coaching at Tennessee State, he mentored 40 Olympians, including 23 medal winners.

The 1960 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVII Olympiad, was held from August 25 to September 11, 1960, in Rome, Italy. Wilma Rudolph won three gold medals and was proclaimed "the fastest woman in the world." Boxer Cassius Clay, later known as Muhammad Ali, won a gold medal in boxing. Future United States flag bearer Rafer Johnson won a gold medal in the decathlon.

The 1968 Summer Olympics, (the XIX Olympiad), was held in Mexico City. The games were notable for a number of reasons. Bob Beamon became the first man to surpass 29 feet in the long jump. Lee Evans, Larry James, and Ron Freeman, the American medalists in the 400-meter race at the 1968 Olympics, wore black berets and raised black fists to symbolize Black Power. An even more iconic stance was taken by the winners of the 200m race. More on that at the next stop.

At the 1960 Olympics Tommie Smith and John Carlos staged an iconic protests against racial discrimination. Shoeless, they each stretched a black-gloved hand to the sky, symbolizing power and unity. Smith wore a scarf signifying blackness. Their black socks stressed poverty; and bowed heads, prayers for black Americans. Boxer George Foreman waved an American flag after his victory, a week after Smith and Carlos faced an Olympic Village ban; a gesture seen as a rejection of Black Power activism.