Chasing History

Jesse Owens

James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens was a 5'10 165 pound Track and Field athlete from Oakville, Alabama. Owens had an illustrious career in Track and Field as he set many records and won many medals. He lived during a time when segregation was still rampant nationally and internationally. However, he was never deterred as he chased his dreams.

Owens family lived in Alabama until he turned nine. His parents decided to take part in the "Great Migration", which was when 1.5 million African Americans moved from the segregated south. They moved to Ohio where Owens got a job, as a student, to help his family financially. Owens was an outstanding track runner at East Technical High School in Cleveland, Ohio. He only did it to bridge the time between work and school, but he realized how much he loved it. He received his first taste of the spotlight during the 1933 National High School Championship in Chicago. He equalled the world record in the 100 yard dash with the time of 9.4 seconds. In addition, he jumped 7.56 meters in the long jumping event.

Owens would go on to The Ohio State University where he ran track without a scholarship and lived off-campus because of segregation. He still had a part-time job to support his family. Owens was recognized as the "Buckeye Bullet" because of his supernatural speed. During his time as a Buckeye, he won eight individual NCAA championships. He had a career day during the Big Ten meet in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1935 where he set three records. He tied the record of 9.4 seconds in the 100 yard dash, set the record in long jumping at 8.13 meters, set the record at 20.3 seconds in the 220 yard dash, and set the record at 22.6 seconds in the 220 yard low hurdles event. However, his success did not stop there.

Owens would go on to the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. This was a time when Adolf Hitler was in control of Germany and believed German athletes would dominate every event. He also believed African Americans were inferior along with the Jews. Olympic officials gave Hitler a stiff ultimatum, which was to congratulate every medalist or do not congratulate anyone. Hitler stubbornly chose not to congratulate anyone. Nevertheless, Owens won four gold medals in the 100 and 200 meter events, long jump, and 4x100 meter relay race. Owens teamed up with Ralph Metcalf, Frank Wycoff, and Foy Draper as they set the world record in the relay event at 39.8 seconds. However, Owens was not commemorated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt for his efforts when he returned home. Roosevelt was afraid if he acknowledged Owens that he would lose votes from Southern voters. Later, President Dwight D. Eisenhower honored Owens as the "Ambassador of Sports" in 1955. 

Before Owens passed away, he was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1970. Also, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Gerald Ford in 1976. After passing away in 1980, the USA Track and Field team created the Jesse Owens Award in 1981. It was and still is awarded to the top Track and Field athlete. Finally, his alma mater, The Ohio State University, dedicated the Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium for Track and Field events only.