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Lee Edward Evans
Madera, California, United States
Archival Overview
Two-time Olympic gold medalist who broke the 400m world record (43.86 seconds) at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics—a record that stood for twenty years—and co-founded the Olympic Project for Human Rights, wearing black berets on the medal podium with Larry James.
Biographical Record
Lee Edward Evans was born in Madera, California, the son of a cotton picker, and trained at San Jose State College under coach Bud Winter, forming the legendary "Speed City" sprint dynasty alongside Tommie Smith and John Carlos. At San Jose State, Evans was a founding member of the Olympic Project for Human Rights (OPHR), organized by sociologist Harry Edwards to protest American racial segregation and lynchings.
At the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games, following the expulsion of Smith and Carlos for their raised-fist protest, Evans won the 400m gold medal in 43.86 seconds, becoming the first human in history to break both 44 seconds in the 400m and anchor the 4x400m relay to a gold medal in 2:56.16. On the victory podium, Evans and teammates Larry James and Ron Freeman wore black berets to express solidarity with the Black Panther Party and civil rights. Evans dedicated his post-athletic life to coaching youth track and field programs in Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and across Africa.
Key Life Milestones
World Record 400m Gold in Mexico City
Clocked 43.86 seconds to win Olympic gold, setting a world record that stood unbroken for two decades until 1988.
Black Beret Civil Rights Demonstration
Stood on the Olympic podium wearing a black beret to protest racial injustice in America alongside fellow medalists.
Memorial Guestbook & Tributes
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Final Resting Place
Perpetual MemorialLagos, Nigeria