San Jose State is bringing back its storied men’s track and field program known as Speed City three decades after it was disbanded, two sources told this news organization.

The school has scheduled a news conference Aug. 1 featuring Olympic stars Tommie Smith, John Carlos and Lee Evans and former professor Harry Edwards. The event is planned to be held by a campus statue that commemorates Smith and Carlos’ historic black-gloved salute on the medal podium at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, according to an email from Paul I. Lanning, vice president of university advancement.

The announcement will be held just ahead of the Opening Ceremony of the Rio de Janeiro Games on Aug. 5.

San Jose State discontinued its men’s track program in 1988, along with three other sports, because of budget problems. Women’s track and field and cross-country was introduced to the campus in 2013.

Almost a half century ago, Smith won the gold medal, Carlos the bronze in the 200 meters. The Spartan sprinters were kicked out of the Olympics for using their platform to make a political statement.

Evans, another member of the school’s Speed City team, won the gold medal in the 400 meters while becoming the first runner to go faster than 44 seconds in the race. He also was part of the gold-medal-winning 1,600-meter relay team.

Edwards is a famed Cal sports sociologist and civil rights leader while at San Jose State in the 1960s. He mentored the Spartans’ African-American athletes while teaching at San Jose State.