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Vince Matthews and Wayne Collett 1972 – The Forgotten Protest?

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February is Black History Month in the USA and Canada.  In the UK, it is celebrated in October.  Last year’s post was dedicated to Stan Wright.

I will honor this post to Vince Matthews and Wayne Collett.  I was 9 years old when I watched the Munich Olympics in 1972.  I had no idea what was going on in terms of the hostage taking, but I do remember several events, namely the 800 meters (Dave Wottle and his shocking come-from-behind victory), the Marathon (Frank Shorter running alone from 9 km onwards) and of course, the unfortunate Americans in the Men’s 100 meters (Eddie Hart and Rey Robinson missing their quarter final races)

With all the hype on the 42nd anniversary of the 1968 Black Power Silent Gesture protest, have we forgotten the silent protest of Vince Matthews and Wayne Collette?

There are so many books about the 1968 Olympics (including Lee Evans autobiography, as well as Tommie Smith’s), so many movies, and when Gold medalists decide to sell their medals, it hits front page of the newspapers.

But What About 1972?

Granted, the Israeli massacre deserves full compassion, but I think a lot of track athletes have forgotten about Vince Matthews and Wayne Collett’s silent protest.

With the passing of Bud Greenspan, I don’t even recall seeing this protest in any of his short films.  And Bud was a people guy first!

Vince Matthews came 4th at the 1968 US Olympic Trials and won a Gold medal in the 4x400m relay (setting a WR in the process that lasted 20 years).  In 1972, he reversed that and won Gold medal with Lee Evans being the 4th man and on the relay.

Vince Matthews and Wayne Collette and John Smith

That rare 400 meter video is now on YouTube (see below – hopefully it will stay up for a while)

Without a doubt in my mind, John Smith would have been on that podium if it were not for the injury.  On the left is a great photo of sportsmanship, patriotism, and human compassion from a LIFE photo.

The photo shows Vince Matthews and Wayne Collett helping John Smith off the field right after the 400 meter finals.  No 5 minute victory lap waving the American flag.

When your man is down, if he’s breathing, bleeding or has broken bones, you have to help him get up.

I’ll let the readers decide if they are offended by their actions on the podium during the National Anthem (see video below).  Offended, as in not being properly dressed, not standing to attention, talking and fidgeting the whole time, and having two people on the top podium at the same time.

Of course, that 4x400m relay was a scratch for the Americans as both Vince Matthews and Wayne Collett were suspended for life by the IOC, and with John Smith still injured.  The only man left standing was Lee Evans!

Wayne Collett died on March 17, 2010.  Asked why he didn’t stand to attention, he quoted, “I couldn’t stand there and sing the words because I don’t believe they’re true.  I believe we have the potential to have a beautiful country, but I don’t think we do.”

Vince Matthews would later write his autobiography My race be won.  I will write a detailed review later, but I can say it is one of the most entertaining books on Track and Field.  The amount of corruption and scandals that the big corporate giants (as well as the various Olympic committees) had on the athletes is shocking.

>> My race be won by Vince Matthews

Photos of the 1972 Silent Protest

Below are some photos from LIFE magazine that showed what really went on the podium when the Star Spangled Banner was playing.  In the first photo, that is Dan Ferris &  Douglas F. Ruby on the right with the suits..

Wayne Collett Vince Matthews 1972 400 meter Olympic ceremony Wayne Collett Vince Matthews 1972 400 meter Olympic ceremony 1Wayne Collett Vince Matthews 1972 400 meter Olympic ceremony 3Wayne Collett Vince Matthews 1972 400 meter Olympic ceremony 3

Video of the 400 meter Finals and Silent Protest

Here is the video on YouTube.  What more can I say?  Excellent race execution by Vince Matthews.

UPDATE: Sorry, the video is no longer on YouTube, but here is another version in Italian.

Jimson Lee

Jimson Lee

Coach & Founder at SpeedEndurance.com
I am a Masters Athlete and Coach currently based in London UK. My other projects include the Bud Winter Foundation, writer for the IAAF New Studies in Athletics Journal (NSA) and a member of the Track & Field Writers of America.
Jimson Lee
Jimson Lee
Jimson Lee

  • I remember what happened like it was yesterday. Collett and Matthews were grabbed RIGHT after the finish, when they were still putting on sweats,t-shirts,etc. and marched in front of the stands to the podium. They didn’t have time to get fully dressed. They also were booed by some of the spectators on their way to the podium. Was it a planned protest or did they not have enough time to dress? Certainly people were looking for some sort of protest from black americans after 1968 and they found it with Collett and Matthews. Sad day for two great quarter milers and an unfitting end to Lee Evans’ career.

    Reply

  • I applaud the expression of conscious both men exhibited on the award stand. They helped to bring additional attention to the plight of African Americans back in the USA. May their names be listed among the heros of the Human Rights struggle.

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  • I had the privilege of being on the Johnson C Smith Tract Team with Vince Matthews 1968-1970. I was the North Carolina State Champion in 1966 and 1967 in the 100, 220 and 880 Relay for Myers Park in Charlotte and went to JCS on a full scholarship. I was the only white athlete at Smith and it is my understanding that there were only two of us in the United States at that time.

    Vince was one of the students that everyone loved. He was outgoing and always has a since of quiet humor and willingness to help anyone. I remember when he can back for the Mexico Olympics after winning the Gold metal inn the 400 meter relay. We were all very proud of him.

    During the tree years we were in school together, a lot was happening. Martin Luther, Bobby Kennedy were assonated, the Black Power movement was in full force, Harlem burned, Watts burned and all this was going on while we were at Smith. Unlike some of the black colleges and universities, Smith was very passive as well as Charlotte, NC. There were obviously discussions about the current events, but no one seemed to want to get involved and just accepted it for being of the times.

    Vince among all of the students just was not involved nor ever expressed any comments one way or the other. We were all involved in our many campus activities and working on our degrees.

    I personally believe that the events leading up to the ceremony in Germany has been totally miss understood. You need to read Neil Amdur’s book “My Race Be Won” published by Charterhouse (1974) to really understand what lead up to the event and awards.

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  • Please help me to pass this email for Mr. Vincent Matthews, thank you very-very much !!

    Dear Mr. Vincent Matthews,

    I am Dr. Janos Donat, I started to collect autographs and signed pictures in 1970. My main purpose is to collect and preserve specimens of handwriting of outstanding people, such as prominent cultural figures of the whole world as well as politicians and as well from scientist to actors and from sportmen to actors and musicians. In my collection there are signatures of the religious leaders, politicians, royalities, scientists, writers, painters, sculptors, architects, directors, actors, sportmen, musicians, etc. I do not collect just signatures, my collection consists of photos with signatures (signed pictures), letters, historical manuscripts, namecards, postcards, etc.

    Nowadays I have more than cc. 30.000 autographs, historical letters, historical documents, papers, etc. with original signatures. The only criteria in my collection is to be original.

    I organised very successfull autograph exhibitions in Hungary. All autographs exhibited were authentic, original and personal. I would be thankful to everybody who helps me in obtaining new autographs.

    Up to now, I have compiled signatures from almost all of these mentioned famous people. However, despite my best efforts, some autographs are still missing from my collection. That is why, I kindly ask you, to send some – exceptionally – original signatures of the yours to complete my special collection. Please NO AUTOPEN…

    Let me extend my best wishes for all your future professional and personal accomplishments. I am looking forward to receiving your answer with your handwritten autographs. My address is below. It\’s very important for me !!!

    Budapest, 10th of Oct, 2013.

    Yours truly,
    thank you in advance for your kind cooperation!

    Dr. Janos Donat
    1037 Budapest
    Remetehegyi út 181/b
    Hungary
    [email protected]

    Reply

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