Jesse Owens, born as James Cleveland Owens on September 12, 1913, in Oakville, Alabama, was one of the greatest track and field athletes of all time. His accomplishments at the Berlin Olympics of 1936 are particularly notable, where he won four gold medals, challenging the racial ideologies of Nazi Germany.
Owens was the youngest of ten children in a family that moved to Cleveland, Ohio, when he was a child. Here, his athletic abilities began to shine. He was nicknamed "Jesse" by a teacher who misheard his name as "J.C." when he said "J.C." instead of "James Cleveland". His athletic prowess was recognized early on when he set several records in high school.
At Ohio State University, Owens continued to excel, breaking numerous records. At the Big Ten Conference championships in 1935, he set three world records and tied a fourth within the span of 45 minutes. His achievements included the long jump, 220-yard dash, 220-yard low hurdles, and the 100-yard dash.
At the Berlin Olympics, Owens won gold medals in the:
His success directly contradicted Adolf Hitler's ideology of Aryan supremacy. There is a famous story, possibly apocryphal, where Hitler, after refusing to shake hands with Owens, was said to have left the stadium in disgust. However, historical records suggest that Hitler shook hands with German medalists and left the stadium before the medal ceremonies of the following days, which was not specifically directed at Owens.
After the Olympics, Owens faced racial discrimination in the United States, which limited his opportunities despite his fame. He worked in various jobs, including as a playground janitor, before becoming involved in public relations and motivational speaking. He was also a successful businessman, running a dry cleaning business and a public relations firm.
Jesse Owens' legacy is profound:
Owens passed away on March 31, 1980, due to lung cancer, which he attributed to his lifelong smoking habit. His contributions to sports and his stand against racial discrimination continue to inspire athletes and activists worldwide.