Sporting lcons : Jesse Owens , his great achievements & video

 

Jesse Owens was a renowned American track and field athlete who gained international fame for his exceptional achievements, particularly during the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.  Owens is regarded as one of the greatest ever in the history of sport and Athletics and he was a versatile athlete .  Here are some of his key accomplishments in detail:

**Early Life**: Jesse Owens was born on September 12, 1913, in Oakville, Alabama, USA. He grew up in a racially segregated America, where discrimination against African Americans was prevalent.

2. **College Career**: Owens attended Ohio State University, where he became a track and field star under the coaching of Larry Snyder. He set multiple world records and won several NCAA championships during his college years.

3. **1935 Big Ten Championships**: In a single day on May 25, 1935, at the Big Ten Championships, Owens set three world records and tied another. He accomplished this feat in just 45 minutes, earning him the nickname "The Buckeye Bullet."

4. **1936 Berlin Olympics**: Owens' most famous achievements came at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. Despite the backdrop of Nazi Germany and Adolf Hitler's promotion of Aryan supremacy, Owens won four gold medals:

   - **100-Meter Dash**: Gold medal with a world record time of 10.3 seconds.

   - **200-Meter Dash**: Gold medal with a world record time of 20.7 seconds.

   - **Long Jump**: Gold medal with a distance of 8.06 meters (26 feet 5 inches).

   - **4x100-Meter Relay**: Gold medal as a part of the U.S. relay team.

**Impact on Civil Rights**: Owens' victories in Berlin were significant not only for his athletic prowess but also for their impact on civil rights. His success challenged racial stereotypes and inspired African Americans to persevere in the face of discrimination.

*Post-Olympic Career**: After the Olympics, Owens faced financial challenges and returned to the United States. He struggled to find stable employment and had to race against horses and other novelty events to earn a living. He later worked as a goodwill ambassador for the U.S. State Department.

*Later Life and Recognition**: In the years that followed, Jesse Owens received numerous awards and honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. He also became an advocate for civil rights and spoke out against racial injustice.

*Legacy**: Jesse Owens' legacy is not just about his remarkable athletic achievements but also about his courage in the face of adversity and his contribution to the civil rights movement. He is remembered as an inspirational figure who transcended racial barriers and left a lasting impact on sports and society.

Jesse Owens' incredible athletic feats, especially during the 1936 Olympics, continue to inspire people worldwide, and he is celebrated as a symbol of perseverance, excellence, and the fight against racism.

Below video briefly showcases his legendary feats in the Berlin 1936 Olympics in front of the ominous presence of Hitler .