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Jackson Creek Middle School |
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Jackson Creek Middle School |
American Heroes: Jesse Owens
His Olympic Career
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In
the year of 1936, Jesse entered the Olympics. Because
they were held in Nazi Germany, they were known as the
"Hitler Olympics." During the Olympics, Hitler
had planned to show the world the Nazi code of the
perfect race. Jesse did the exact opposite of that. He
proved to them that Africans were strong and are not a
lower race. By the end of the Olympics, even Hilter was
cheering for him. All of the German boys and girls wanted
his autograph. He ended up winning all of his events. This included the 100 meter dash, the 200 meter dash and the broad jump. He was also the main runner in the 400 yard relay. He became the first American ever to win 4 gold olympic medals in a single day. |
Even though Jesse was doing great in the Olympics, his family was getting poorer. Soon enough, Jesse had to drop out of college and start running professionally to support his family. He would continue to do this until 1948.
Jesse started his own public relations firm where he would speak on behalf of African Americans and other compianies. He stressed religon and started youth sporting programs across the country.
In 1976, he was awarded one of the greatest awards an American citizen can be awarded. President Gerald R. Ford awarded him with the Medal of Freedom. Jesse overcame segregation, racism, and bigotry to prove to the world that African-Americans belonged in the world of athletics. Several years later, on March 31, 1980, Jesse Owens, 66, died in Tucson from complications due to cancer.
By:
Jeff K.
Last updated:
11/28/01
