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Jesse Owens

10 questions · Sports

Jesse Owens, born in 1913 in the American South as the grandson of slaves, grew up the son of poor cotton pickers and worked from childhood. On the cinder track, though, he was a marvel of speed and ease and made sporting history in a highly political place. At the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, which the Nazi regime meant to stage as a showcase for its racial ideology, the black American Owens won four gold medals: in the 100 and 200 metres, the long jump and the sprint relay. Right under the eyes of the Nazis he exposed their propaganda about the superiority of an "Aryan race" as absurd before the whole world. His achievements made him a symbol: that skill and human dignity do not depend on skin colour. Moving, too, is the friendship that bound him during the Games with his German rival Luz Long. Back home in the USA, however, Owens still faced everyday racism and little recognition. Only late was his historic significance truly honoured. He died in 1980, as one of the most important sporting figures of the 20th century.

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For which country did Jesse Owens compete?

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USA

As a black athlete in 1936.

💡 Did you know? Owens was celebrated in the USA: yet on his return, segregation still barred him from much.

At which Games did Owens become a legend?

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Berlin 1936

In the middle of the Nazi regime.

💡 Did you know? At Hitler's 1936 propaganda Games in Berlin, the black US sprinter became a cheered star.

How many gold medals did Owens win in 1936?

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four

Sprints, long jump and relay.

💡 Did you know? Owens's four golds of 1936 stood unmatched until Carl Lewis in 1984.

What did Owens disprove with his wins?

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Nazi racial ideology

Before the eyes of the Nazis.

💡 Did you know? With four victories Owens disproved the Nazi claim of a „superior race“ before the whole world.

In which events did Owens excel?

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sprint and long jump

An exceptional track-and-field athlete.

💡 Did you know? A year before the Olympics, Owens set three world records and equalled a fourth in a single afternoon.

With which rival did Owens form a friendship?

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Luz Long

A sign of humanity.

💡 Did you know? German long-jumper Luz Long gave Owens a tip mid-contest and congratulated him openly before the Berlin crowd.

Jesse Owens

Foto: Acme News Photos · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Which athlete is shown here?

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Jesse Owens

Jesse Owens won four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics and became a symbol against Nazi racial ideology.

💡 Did you know? On one afternoon in May 1935 he set three world records within 45 minutes.

In which year was Jesse Owens born?

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1913

Born: 12 September 1913 in Alabama

In which year did Jesse Owens die?

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1980

Died: 31 March 1980, aged 66

Where was Jesse Owens born?

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Alabama

Born: 12 September 1913 in Alabama

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