Jesse Owens
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2 min readJesse Owens was one of the greatest track stars—and one of the most beloved Olympians—of all time. In a year when hate threatened to overshadow the Olympic Games being held in Nazi Germany, Owens delighted the free world by winning four gold medals and destroying Adolf Hitler's notion that his Aryan athletes were superior to black competitors. The photos taken of Owens at those 1936 games, and in the years before and after, depict an amazing athlete who has inspired generations of people of all races. In honor of Owens, we present a photo celebration of his life and legacy.
High school student athlete
Cleveland, Ohio, high school student Jesse Owens in 1933.
The "Buckeye Bullet" in college
Ohio State University student Jesse Owens, aka the "Buckeye Bullet," crosses the finish line in the 220-yard dash with a record speed of 20.3 seconds at the Big Ten Western Conference Track and Field meet at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich., May 25, 1935. He broke three world records, including the 220-yard hurdle, 22.6, and the long jump, 26 feet, 1/4 inches. He tied the 100-yard dash record, 9.4 seconds.
Outstanding track and field athlete Jesse Owens poses in his Ohio State University jersey, April 26, 1935. As a sophomore at OSU he held the world indoor broad jump record of 25 feet, 9 3/4 inches.
Marries his high school sweetheart
Jesse Owens and his high school sweetheart Minnie Ruth Solomon take their marriage vows July 5, 1935, in Cleveland, Ohio.
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