Jesse Owens shined a beaming light not just in America but in the whole entire world in the 1936 Games. Germany was a major European power back then and Hitler was at the peak of his power. as a dictator resurgent Nazi Germany.He and other government officials had high hopes that German athletes would dominate the games with victories (the German athletes achieved a "top of the table" medal haul). Meanwhile, Nazi propaganda promoted concepts of "Aryan racial superiority" and depicted ethnic Africans as inferior.At the time Germany saw themselves as a manifest destiny country who believed that they were the true fatherland of Europe and that the true Cacuasian people were blonde and blue eyed, He saw everyone as being inferior and he used the 1936 Games to try to prove his theory of racial purity and superiority. To many people and countries it was basically the World against Germany. Let's keep in mind that Jesse Owens was an African American in the 1930's he endured a lot of racial segregation not just in Germany but also his home country of USA he represented a country that did not love him back but he bravely proved to himself and the entire world that Hitler's theory was a myth. He did not just represent African Americans but the rest of the world even Cacuasians who endured prejudice by Hitler.
Owens surprised many by winning four gold medals: On August 3, 1936, he won the 100m sprint, defeating Ralph Metcalfe; on August 4, the long jump (later crediting friendly and helpful advice from Luz Long, the German competitor he ultimately defeated); on August 5, the 200m sprint; and, after he was added to the 4 x 100 m relay team, following a request by the Germans to replace a Jewish-American sprinter, he won his fourth on August 9.
Hitler shook hands only with the German victors and then left the stadium. Olympic committee officials insisted Hitler greet every medalist or none at all. Hitler opted for the latter and skipped all further medal presentations.On reports that Hitler had deliberately avoided acknowledging his victories, and had refused to shake his hand, Owens said at the time.
In my opinion people can say all they want that Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt are the greatest Olympians of all time but please keep in mind that they are in a different era with advanced technologly, 24/7 media, don't have to endure discrimination and endorsement deals that Olympic athletes before 1990's were not even paid for what they did. Jesse Owens paved the way for those men he broke a lot of barriers and really gave the United States hope in sports and wanting invest in their athletic programs.
Carl Lewis...his whinging and blubbering about Jamaica being better at sprinting has shown the world that the USA are bad sports and poor losers.
How many Americans in the 200m Men's final ??
Plenty in the women's, but then it's easier to drug women than men..just ask GDR !
He gave the world a laugh..is he still gay ??
@Steve "Jesse Owens", yeah but when he got home to Alabama he wasn't allowed in a restaurant was he !! Also Hitler at least waved at him unlike the the president of the USA who never acknowledge him !! So, which racism was he fighting ?
IF he did such a great job, then why was Classius Clay still struggling against the same racism 30 years alter ?
Can everyone stop calling Germans nazis b/c that is rude. Just b/c the people living before them in the same country decided to do something not so great is not a reason to call them what they aren't.
Are you promoting American "jingoism" ? --- by stating only USA sportspeople are the beacon of light and hope for a troubled world that we live in.
Why not South African athlete Oscar Pretorious ? --- who has proven that people with disabilities can compete with the best in his chosen sport.
He gets my vote.
From the 2012 games, Michael Phelps for obvious reasons. But overall....... Well, I'm an 80's child. So I've got to say Carl Lewis. He was awesome to watch when I was growing up.
Jesse Owens. He showed Aryan Nazi Germany his heels and some dust.
None, why would athletes from another country inspire people in other countries? People are inspired by their own countries’ athletes
I'm not from the US but I kind of think Michael Phelps.
Jesse Owens, no challenge
I admired Ashton Eaton and Allyson Felix!
You really are charged up, LOL!
I know it is difficult to choose one out of hundreds of noble, inspiring Americans. However who stood out to touch you deeply and show that the US truly is that beacon which shines through the darkness of this mixed up world.
Usain Bolt, oh wait, he's not From th US is he.....
why should anyone be inspired by this stuff?
