The 1968 Gold Medal that belongs to Tommie Smith is going up for auction along with the shoes that he wore during the 200-meter-dash.

Tommie Smith is probably known more for his Black Power salute along with John Carlos while on the medal podium. It caused a lot of controversy at the time, and caused Smith to be banned from the Olympics. The act was seen as trying to politicize the Olympics, which is not permitted.

When the two athletes gave the Black Power salute, they did not think there would be as much of a controversy afterward, as there was.

The reason for auctioning off the Gold medal is not entirely known. The starting bid will be set at $250,000, and it will go to the highest bidder. Whether or not Smith is in need of the money, or if he simply doesn’t want to remember all the issues that arose from his infamous salute is not known.

When Tommie Smith was contacted about the auction, he refused to comment.

M.I.T. Memorabilia’s Gary Zimet said, “He feels that what he did ruined his life in many ways, and he simply doesn’t want to put himself in the media spotlight.”

The auction is set to run until November 4, 2010.