Jesse Owens
Track Superstar and much more
Jesse Owens early life
James Cleveland Owens (Jesse Owens) was born on September 12, 1913 in Danville Alabama. He was the Seventh of twelve kids as he was growing up his parents were sharecroppers. So life was hard as the future track star of America was growing up.
His Track Career at OSU
Owens was a succseful athlete in High school settintg many highschool records. But his real fame became apperant as he decided to attend the university of Ohio State or OSU. Owens fame quickly grew as he became a nation wide track star tying at setting records at the 1935 Big Ten championships. Owens went on to win four medals and set or tie three world records. After this Owens decided to declare for the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
The Segrigation at OSU
Seigation was still in the US at the time Owens attended OSU. Owens was forced to live off campus with other African American Athletes and had to pay rent. Whenever the team went out of town Owens was not allowed to stay in the same hotel as the rest of the team. He was also not allowed to eat at the same resturants with the other white teamamates.
The 1936 Olympics in Berlin
Owens went into the 1936 Olympics with high hopes and high standards. During the time of 1936 African Americans were still not respected as full citizens in the US. So sending an African American athlete to represent the US was a big deal. Owens went on in the 1936 Olympics to not just break the color barrier, but to smash through it. In the 1936 Olympics Owens went on to win four gold medals. The most by any African American at the time. And break and tie many world records also.
His Affect on Segrigation
Jesse Owens had a huge affect on Segrigation. He showed others that anything is possible no matter what your race is. He gave other African American Athletes hope for the future and Whites something to think about. He changed the way people looked and treated many African Americans. He had a enormus influence on not just sports, but also tawards the end of cegrigation in the US.