Jesse Owens: Olympic Track and Field Winner
Jesse Owens was the first person ever to win four gold medals in the Olympics, which few people have ever done. He was a man who succeeded greatly in the Olympics. His grace and athleticism rallied crowds all around the earth. Owens, by joining the Olympics, greatly impacted race relations by showing everyone in the world that blacks deserve to compete in athletic competitions. Jesse Owens competed in the Berlin Summer Olympics in 1936.
Jesse’s struggles in 1935 were put in the past, now it was time for training.(Gigliotti 58). However, His success at the 1935 Big Ten Championship gave him the confidence that he was ready to excel at the highest level.(“Jesse Owens”). After the Winter Games, came the Summer Games which would take place in Berlin. Jesse was ready to take on the new challenges that lie ahead.
Jesse did very well in the Olympics. Jesse won four gold medals in 1936 at the Olympic Games. He won one medal in the long jump, 100 meter dash, the 200 meter dash, and the 4x100 meter relay. Not surprisingly, Jesse was without question America's premier track and field athlete.
“Before the Nazis had come to power, Berlin was famous for its avantgarde art scene, now in preparation for the games, city museums brought out of storage and then were put on display.” “The
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Jesse met with Charles every morning before school to train. Charles became Jesse's mentor not only on the track, but off the track too. (Gigliotti 22). However, Charles was white, while Jesse was black. Charles treated Jesse like one of his own children. Jesse said, “He trained me to become a man as well as an athlete.” Charles Riley introduced Owens to Charles Paddock at a meeting. This meeting had a profound impact on Jesse’s life. “Paddock became his sporting idol.” (Gigliotti 28). Many people had a great impact on Jesse’s life and Jesse was very grateful for