The Inspiring Story Of Jesse Owens And His Historic Moment At The 1936 Olympics

When it comes to the greatest Olympians in history, names like Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps often come to mind, but perhaps no one made a more lasting impact than Jesse Owens. 

His triumph at the 1936 Berlin Olympics transcended athletics, standing as a powerful symbol against both the racial prejudices of Nazi Germany and the segregated America he returned to. 

Owens’ accomplishments weren’t just about gold medals; they became a global statement about human dignity, equality, and the true Olympic spirit.

Keep scrolling down to explore the remarkable life and legacy of Jesse Owens.

Jesse Owens: A rising star in the world of athletics

Jesse Owens at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin

Jesse Owens was born James Cleveland Owens on September 12, 1913, in Oakville, Alabama. The son of a sharecropper and the grandson of slaves, Owens’ early life was steeped in poverty. 

At the age of nine, his family relocated to Cleveland, Ohio, in search of better opportunities, part of the Great Migration of African Americans from the rural South to northern cities. 

Jesse Owens, in the third row with an asterisk on his jersey, started setting track records in junior high school.

It was here that a teacher mistakenly called him “Jesse” instead of “J.C.” — a name that stuck with him for the rest of his life.

Jesse Owens with family in Columbus, Ohio: mother, Jesse Owens, wife Ruth, father – early summer 1936

Owens discovered his talent for running in junior high, quickly earning attention for his speed. He broke records at the high school level and gained a scholarship at Ohio State University.

Despite segregation and being denied housing with white athletes, Owens continued to excel. 

A composite of images of track star Jesse Owens showing sprinting positions from start to full stride, June 18, 1935.

In 1935, during the Big Ten Championships in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Owens set three world records and tied a fourth — all in the span of 45 minutes.

This extraordinary feat remains one of the greatest achievements in track and field history.

A chilly reception in Nazi Germany

The Hindenburg over Olympic Stadium in Berlin, August 1936.

The 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany, were intended to showcase Nazi Germany’s vision of Aryan supremacy to the world.

Adolf Hitler believed the Games would affirm the dominance of white athletes, particularly those of German descent. 

A runner carrying the Olympic torch into Olympic Stadium to light the cauldron there during the opening ceremonies of the 1936 Games in Berlin.

Owens faced tremendous pressure leading up to the Games. Civil rights groups urged him to boycott, while in Germany, he was met with racial slurs and hostility.

Unknown olympic athlete shaking hands with American olympian Jesse Owens

Nazi ideology viewed African Americans as inferior, and Hitler had hoped their poor performance would support this belief. 

Jesse Owens at the 1936 Summer Olympic Games in Berlin

Owens’ participation in the Berlin Olympics set the stage for a confrontation between the ideology of the Nazi regime and the athletic excellence of an African American man. 

Olympic glory: Four gold medals 

Jesse Owens reaches the finishing line first in the 100 meters sprint on August 3, 1936.

Owens began his Olympic quest by winning the 100-meter dash, completing the race in 10.30 seconds, and instantly shattering the myth of Aryan athletic superiority. 

The American runner Jesse Owens running in the 200-meter sprint a new Olympic record. Berlin. 4th August 1936.

Days later, he won the 200-meter dash with a time of 20.70 seconds.

His next victory, in the long jump, became legendary not only for the distance — an impressive leap of 8.06 meters — but also for the camaraderie between Owens and his German competitor, Luz Long, who advised Owens on his technique.

At the 1936 Olympics, Jesse Owens defeated his German competitor during the long jump — and later befriended him.

The long jump victory, with Hitler watching from the stands, is one of the most iconic moments of Owens’ career.

Proud mother, Mrs. Cleveland Owens, hears of son Jesse’s Olympic triumphs in Berlin, 1936.

Owens later recalled Long’s sportsmanship, even as they competed under the oppressive Nazi regime. Their friendship would become a symbol of how sports can transcend politics and hatred.

Track star Jesse Owens (R) landing in pit during broad jump competition at Olympics.

Owens’ final gold came in the 4×100-meter relay, where his team set a new world record of 39.80 seconds. In total, Owens won four gold medals, more than any other track and field athlete at a single Olympic Games.

A hero abroad, but struggles at home

Jesse Owens running at 1936 Olympics in Berlin

Despite his triumphs in Berlin, Owens’ return to the United States was a sobering reminder of the racial segregation still deeply entrenched in his homeland. 

Jesse Owens competes in the long jump which he won with a new Olympic record of 8.06m.

Owens himself noted, “Although I wasn’t invited to shake hands with Hitler, I wasn’t invited to the White House to shake hands with the President either.”

Jesse Owens, US-American track and field athlete, won 4 gold medals at the Summer Olympics in Berlin in 1936.

In Nazi Germany, Owens was allowed to stay in the same hotel as other athletes, but back in the U.S., he struggled to find employment.

Jesse Owens (center) standing on the winners’ podium after receiving the gold medal for the running broad jump (long jump) at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.

Though a national hero in name, Owens wasn’t immune to the same discrimination and lack of opportunity faced by other African Americans in the 1930s. 

Jesse Owens is being interviewed at the 1936 Olympics

He took on numerous odd jobs, even racing against horses to earn money.

New Yorkers lined the streets to welcome Owens back from the Olympics in September 1936.

It wasn’t until 1976, decades after his Olympic victories, that Owens was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Gerald Ford, America’s highest civilian honor.

The legacy of Jesse Owens

Jesse Owens (1913 – 1980) signs autographs for German fans from atop the U.S. Olympic Team’s bus during the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games, Berlin, Germany, July 1936

Jesse Owens’ legacy continues to inspire generations of athletes and civil rights advocates. His performance in the 1936 Olympics wasn’t just about winning medals; it was about breaking barriers and disproving the dangerous ideologies of racial superiority. 

American athlete Jesse Owens, winner of four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games revisits the Olympic stadium in Berlin on July 8, 1965.

His friendship with Luz Long, who died fighting for Nazi Germany, is a reminder that sportsmanship can transcend politics and race.

Owens’ four gold medals stood unmatched until Carl Lewis equaled the feat in 1984. 

Jesse Owens of the USA relaxes at home in this 1975 photo.

Yet, what makes Owens’ achievements truly historic is their context—his victories came at a time when the world was on the brink of war and divisions were drawn along racial lines.

Owens once said, “Find the good. It’s all around you. Find it, showcase it, and you’ll start believing in it.” 

His life and achievements are a shining example of this principle, and his legacy continues to inspire people to stand against injustice and believe in the potential of every individual, regardless of race or background.

 

ALSO VIRAL

Sign up to get the lastest content first.

Subcribe to Our Newsletter