The two African-American athletes who made the iconic raised-fist protest at the 1968 Olympic Games will receive a long-awaited moment of redemption at a US team event at the White House.

Key points: Tommie Smith and John Carlos made famous stance in 1968

Tommie Smith and John Carlos made famous stance in 1968 While initially revoked, pair now receiving recognition from US Olympic committee

While initially revoked, pair now receiving recognition from US Olympic committee Australian Peter Norman supported pair on podium

Tommie Smith and John Carlos were invited by the US Olympic Committee to attend a gala dinner on Wednesday in Washington honouring the 2016 Olympic team and accompany the team to meet President Barack Obama the following day, Carlos said.

The image of Smith and Carlos, gold and bronze medallists in the 200-metre track event in Mexico City, thrusting their black-gloved fists into the air, has become an enduring symbol of the fight for racial equality.

Their example has surfaced repeatedly in past weeks as an inspiration to African-American National Football League (NFL) and college players protesting racial injustice after the fatal shootings of several black men by police.

Smith and Carlos paid a high price for their protest, not only with the Olympic Committee but also in the court of public opinion.

"It was against the charter of the Olympic Committee to make a political statement at the victory podium," Carlos said.

"But we felt it was the only place we could make the statement at that time."

Smith (left) and Carlos (right) pictured in 2008. ( AP Photo: Kevork Djansezian )

Standing in black socks, the two Americans bowed their heads and pushed their fists into the air as the US anthem played, shocking the world and many Americans reeling from a turbulent year in the fight for civil rights.

It was widely interpreted as a black power salute but the athletes later described it as a "human rights salute".

They were suspended from the US Olympic team and sent back to the United States.

The Australian who supported American duo

Australian Peter Norman, who finished the race second and was on the podium, stood silently in solidarity and wore an Olympic Project for Human Rights badge on his jacket.

His stance also proved costly, with Norman not included in the Australian team for the following Olympics despite running the required qualifying time.

But the trio's bond remained strong for decades, with Smith and Carlos carrying Norman's coffin at his funeral in 2006.

"We knew that what we were going to do was far greater than any athletic feat," Carlos said at the funeral.

Carlos not expecting US team apology

Carlos said he did not expect or want an explicit apology from the Olympic Committee for sending him and Smith home, because their actions were in clear violation of policy.

He said, however, that over time and as their raised-fist salute has become a precedent of sorts, US Olympic officials have gained a better understanding of the reasons behind their protest.

"Time has gone by to the point where they had to take a look at themselves and say: 'These guys weren't bad guys … they were courageous enough to make a statement for what they believed in'," Carlos said.

The US Olympic Committee did not return calls requesting comment.

Philadelphia Eagles players made a stand during the US national anthem. ( AP: Kiichiro Sato )

Reuters/ABC