“We all have dreams. In order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline and effort.” – Jesse Owens

Circumstances

The 1936 Summer Olympics took place in Berlin at a time when tensions were high a few years before World War II. Mussolini was Prime Minister of Italy while his country fought their second war against Ethiopia. Before the Olympic events took place, Italy had already captured the capital of Ethiopia. The Spanish Civil War started a few weeks before the Olympics.

Furthermore, the German media were talking about Aryan supremacy. Nazi-controlled newspapers mentioned that the Black Legion would help the USA national team, and Jesse Owens was one of the legionnaires. The Nazi flag was everywhere: in the streets, in shops and homes. As many nations protested against the bad treatment of Jews, Germany decided there would not be persecution during August.

Opening Ceremony

As mandated by the Olympic Charter, there would be an opening ceremony with a series of rituals which had been a tradition since early editions of the modern Olympics. One of them is the Parade of Nations in which most athletes march into the stadium. Each country has a sign with its name and a flag carried by one of its athletes.

Every flag was dipped when they passed the Chancellor’s box except for the US flag. The French athletes gave the Olympic salute which was confused with the Nazi salute by the crowd. Italy gave their support to the Chancellor with the Nazi salute. This Olympic Games edition was the first one to start with the torch relay tradition.

Hitler had announced he wished a victory in the Olympic Games, both political and athletic, proving the theory of Aryan supremacy. According to Jesse Owens, there was a great difference of treatment to black athletes between German athletes and German press/Nazi leaders. The existing deep connection between athletes transcends all prejudices.

The Games

Jesse Owens would participate in the following events: 100 metres, 200 metres, Long Jump and 4×100 metres. Owens equalled the world record in the qualifying heat of the 100 metres. However, officials didn’t consider it because it was wind-assisted. As he breezed through the qualifying stages, the crowd was growingly enthusiastic about his talent. They even chanted his name when he was on track (Jesse-Owens! Jesse-Owens!). He went to the final as one of the favourites and won with a time of 10.3 seconds – just one-tenth of a second away from his world record. Remember, Jesse Owens was an amateur athlete.

Then came the Long Jump. In this event, his main competitor was Luz Long, a German athlete. After a short jump and a foul jump in the first two attempts, Owens needed a good jump in his last attempt to qualify for the final. Before this attempt, Long gave Owens some advice. The young American athlete made his way to the final 3 attempts.

In the final 3 attempts competition was very close between Long and Owens. After fighting fiercely, Owens set a new Olympic record with 8.05 m, which gave him the first place. Right after his final jump, Long greeted Owens and put his arm around him. This was an act of courage considering circumstances back then. They both walked together around the track and laid down on the grass just as great friends would. Adolph Hitler did not shake hands with Jesse Owens.

The following event would be 200 metres. This time around the crowd was even more familiar with Owens. Just as in the 100 metres, he got past the qualifying rounds quite easily. In an impressive final, he beat the world record with 20.7 seconds. Then came the fourth and final event for the young black American athlete. Owens and the rest of the USA National team won the 4x100m beating the World Record.

According to Jesse Owens, the great environment lived in the Olympic village among participants made it seem surreal that World War II was 3 years ahead of them.

Aftermath

Celebrations in New York in a car. Somebody threw a bag with 10.000 dollars which were quite helpful to Owens’ family. However, the winner of four gold medals in the Olympics was not invited to the White House by Franklin D Roosevelt.

In 1951, Jesse Owens came back to the same stadium in Berlin. He was invited for an athletics event. He was asked to do a victory lap. Then, Owens was greeted by Mayor of West Berlin, who shook both his hands and saying it was to compensate for the fact that Hitler had not shaken his hand. The crowd was on their feet cheering for the American athlete.

As to his life after the Olympics, not many professional opportunities emerged. Endorsement deals and TV appearances were not so common back then, especially for a black American. Owens had to struggle to earn enough money. He was forced to drop athletics due to financial difficulties. Nevertheless, his impact on the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin will never be forgotten.