John Carlos was vilified by the sports establishment for raising his black-gloved fist in a defiant black power salute on the medal podium at the 1968 Summer Games in Mexico City, scorned for using the Olympics to draw attention to racism in the United States.

But Carlos, the bronze medal winner in the 200-meter dash that year, told Occupy Wall Street protesters at Zuccotti Park on Monday night that he has no regrets - and that he is proud to give them his support.

"I am here for you," Carlos said. "Why? Because I am you. We are here 43 years later because the fight is still to be won. We must never stop, for this day is not for us, but it's for our children."