2. BEGINNINGS
Born September 12, 1913
Family were sharecroppers/were very poor/struggled to feed
family of ten
Moved to Cleveland/ in the ghetto
Began to be called Jesse after his teacher, with a thick
southern accent called him Jesse instead of James
Began running track and was incredibly fast.
Competed in 100 and 220 yard dashes.
Competed in hurdles and high jump and long jump.
Was very popular even though he was African American.
3. BEGINNINGS PART 2
Made the world record(high school) for the 100 yard dash with
9.4 seconds.
Multiple colleges wanted Jesse but he wanted to stay close to
home and went to Ohio State University.
There, Jesse was discriminated and was forced to live off
campus with other African American athletes
4. OLYMPICS
1936/Jesse Owens entered the Olympics-was held in Nazi
Germany. Coined “Hitler Olympics”
Hitler planned to show off Germany’s impressive running skill.
Later, Hitler and many of the boys and girls cheered for Owens.
Owens won all of his event.(100 and 200 meter dash along
with broad jump and was also main runner in 400 yard relay.
First American to win 4 gold medals in day.
Owens family was poor and was forced to drop out of college to
run professionally for his family.
5. AFTER OLYMPICS
Started his own public relations firm.
Would speak on behalf of African Americans and other
companies.
Stressed religion and started youth sporting programs across
the country.
1976-awarded Medal of Freedom from President Gerald R. Ford
Overcame segregation and racism and bigotry to prove African
Americans can be part of the athletic association
Jesse Owens died at age 66 on March 31, 1980 from
complications of cancer.
