Jesse Owens

Jesse Owens was an American track and field athlete, born on September 12, 1913, in Oakville, Alabama. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes in the history of Olympic Games. Owens began his athletic career in high school before making a name for himself at The Ohio State University, where he set multiple world records.

Owens is known for his incredible speed, agility, and long jump ability. He has won numerous awards, including four Olympic gold medals, and holds multiple records, such as the world record for the long jump which stood for 25 years.

Off the field, Owens was also recognized for his work in promoting goodwill and equality, making significant contributions to society and inspiring millions worldwide.

Career

• Youth and Early Career: Owens was born and raised in Alabama and settled in Cleveland, Ohio during his youth. He rose to national prominence while at East Technical High School in Cleveland, where he tied the world record in the 100-yard dash.

The Ohio State University

• Early Success: Owens attended The Ohio State University, where he set three world records and tied another, all in less than an hour at the 1935 Big Ten track meet in Ann Arbor, Michigan - a feat that has never been equaled and has been called 'the greatest 45 minutes ever in sport'.

Olympic Games

• Record-breaking Performance: In the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Owens won four gold medals, in the 100 meters, 200 meters, long jump, and 4x100 meter relay. His performance was a blow to Adolf Hitler's intention to use the Games to demonstrate Aryan superiority.

International Achievements

• Olympic Games: Owens won four gold medals in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany.

• Events: Primarily a sprinter and long jumper.
• Skills: Known for his incredible speed, agility, endurance, and long jump ability. Owens is celebrated for his versatility, powerful strides, and competitive spirit.

• Family: Owens was married to Ruth Solomon and had three daughters. He remained married to Ruth until his death in 1980.
• Post-Athletic Career: After retiring from competition, Owens worked as a sports promoter, advocated for racial equality, and served as a goodwill ambassador.

• Jesse Owens is celebrated not only for his extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for his courage, determination, and dignity in the face of racial prejudice. His impact on sport and his status as an icon extend beyond the track, inspiring millions of people around the world.

Olympic Gold Medals:

• Four gold medals in the 1936 Olympic Games

World Records:

• Set multiple world records in sprinting and long jump

Posthumous Honors:

• Received numerous posthumous honors, including induction into the U.S. Olympic Committee Hall of Fame and the awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal.

Books

• Schaap, J. (2007) Triumph: The Untold Story of Jesse Owens and Hitler's Olympics. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
• Baker, W.J. (1986) Jesse Owens: An American Life. New York: Free Press.

Websites

• Olympic Games: Information about Jesse Owens’s Olympic career and achievements. Available at: https://www.olympic.org
• Jesse Owens: Official site with updates on Owens’s life and legacy. Available at: http://www.jesseowens.com

Articles

• ESPN: Jesse Owens: Career in numbers. Available at: https://www.espn.com
• The Guardian: Jesse Owens’s career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/jesse-owens

Documentaries

• Jesse Owens (2012): Directed by Laurens Grant. This documentary provides a detailed look at Owens’s life and career, featuring interviews with his family, friends, and colleagues.