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Jesse OwensLegendary American athlete
Date of Birth: 12.09.1913
Country:  USA |
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Legendary American Athlete Jesse Owens
Jesse Owens, whose full name was James Cleveland Owens, was a legendary American athlete known for his records in short-distance races and long jumps. He was born on September 12, 1913, in Oakville, Alabama, and was the youngest of ten children in his family. When he was a child, Owens' parents decided to move to Ohio, hoping for better treatment and new opportunities. In his new surroundings, he quickly realized society's attitude towards African Americans and actively tried to shed his southern accent.
Early Success
Owens' talent for running and track and field was noticed by his teachers in school. While attending East Technical High School, he won numerous awards and set several records in short-distance races. After high school, Owens' parents were able to enroll him at Ohio State University, where he immediately joined the track and field team. Within two years, he won eight competitions organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, a record that remains unbeaten to this day. Despite his fame at the university, he was still forced to visit segregated restaurants and use separate restrooms.
Olympic Triumph
On May 25, 1935, Owens set three new world records and equaled the time in a fourth at a small American competition. According to sports analysts, this victory became the most significant sporting achievement since 1850. However, Owens' worldwide fame came at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. Even before the games began, it was clear that they would be used to showcase the strength, agility, and superiority of German athletes. However, Owens shattered all these plans in the track and field events, winning four gold medals in front of the entire German nation. This was a dream come true for any African American athlete. Throughout the Olympics, Adolf Hitler ignored the presence of black athletes and only congratulated German athletes. After winning the 100-meter race, Owens accidentally walked past Hitler's box, and the German leader waved at him. Owens waved back in response.
National Hero
After returning to America, Jesse Owens became a national hero. During a parade on Fifth Avenue held in his honor, someone threw a package through his car window. It turned out to contain $10,000 in cash instead of cookies, as Owens initially thought. Owens met his wife, Minnie Ruth Solomon, in high school at the age of 15. They dated throughout high school and college and remained together until Owens' death in 1980. Owens, a lifelong smoker, was hospitalized with lung cancer in 1979 and passed away a few months later in the hospital.
