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Jesse Owens doesn’t get anywhere near the recognition he deserves.
“At the 1936 Berlin Games, Owens won four gold medals, in the 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay and the long jump.
He managed to break or equal nine Olympic records and also set three world records. One of those world records was in the 4x100m relay.”
He managed to break or equal nine Olympic records and also set three world records. One of those world records was in the 4x100m relay.”
Now, that Olympic resume in itself is more than enough to brag about.
But, what was happening during that time period?
But, what was happening during that time period?
In April 1933, an "Aryans only" policy was instituted in all German athletic organizations. "Non-Aryans"—Jews or individuals with Jewish parents and Roma (Gypsies)—were systematically excluded from German sports facilities and associations
Some more context
“On 7 March 1936 German troops marched into the Rhineland. This action was directly against the Treaty of Versailles which had laid out the terms which the defeated Germany had accepted. This move, in terms of foreign relations, threw the European allies”
“On 7 March 1936 German troops marched into the Rhineland. This action was directly against the Treaty of Versailles which had laid out the terms which the defeated Germany had accepted. This move, in terms of foreign relations, threw the European allies”
Even more, it was the first time there was a boycott on the Olympic Games.
“Judge Jeremiah Mahoney, led efforts to boycott the 1936 Olympics. He argued out that Germany had broken Olympic rules forbidding discrimination based on race and religion. In his view, participation would indicate an endorsement of Hitler's Reich.”
It is also important to remember that Hitler was fully intent on using the 1936 olympics for propaganda purposes.
“Adolf Hitler hoped that the 1936 Berlin Games would prove his theory of Aryan racial superiority.
Instead, Owens’ achievements led the people of Berlin to hail him as a hero.”
Instead, Owens’ achievements led the people of Berlin to hail him as a hero.”
As depicted in the picture below. Hitler was a F*cking idiot.
Jesse Owen’s 1936 olympic performance stands for much more than the 4 gold medals he won.
Jesse Owens was a true hero and warrior.
