James Cleveland Owens was born in 1913 in Oakville Alabama; near Danville. His nick name is Jessie cause of J.C. When Jessie was 7 years old he and his family moved to Cleveland. He was the son of a sharecropper. When they moved to Ohio they enrolled Jessie in public schools. He had many different jobs ; he delivered groceries, loaded freight cars and worked in shoe repair shops that is when he discovered that he enjoyed running. In gym class they had to run the 60 yard dash. When his teacher saw that he was a good runner he told him to join track so he did that was the turning point in his life. 

Many colleges and universities  tried to recruit Jessie but he chose Ohio State University. He excelled in track and field while attending college. He also set 7 world records in his college career. In college he met some fierce competition not just on the track. He was required to live off campus with African American athletes and sometimes he had to eat in ''blacks only '' restaurants or had to eat carry out food. Sometimes '' white hotels'' would allow him to stay but he had to use the back door or stairs instead of the elevator. He was not awarded a scholarship to the university of Ohio. He continued to work part time jobs to pay for school. And on August1,1936 the Olympic games begin in Berlin. Jessie became the most famous athlete in sports history and he was a track and field star. While at the Olympics he won four gold medals that was a big story and there were several subplots. He won the 200 and 100 meter dashes and broad jump( know called long jump) and was a member of the 400 meter relay team. Jessie embarrassed received Hitler all cause he was black. Hitler saw the Olympics as an ideal showcase for glories of Nazi system  and Fuhrer was on his box seat at track and field events. Hitler was also hoping that German athletes were superior to other people. Hitler also viewed the Olympics as an opportunity to advance Nazi ideology. On the first day of competition Hitler congratulated those athletes who finished 1,2,3 in the 100 meter run. German officials deprived Owens for second share of the world record in 100 meter run. 

Over 4,000 athletes from 59 nations participated in the games. Germany and Japan were not invited to participate in the games. Owens broke 3 world records and tied for fourth within 45 seconds had an ailing back to the entire  week  that was leading up to the meet in Ann Arbor. Owens was allowed  to race in other events. He was not allowed to shake hands with the president. A famous quote: '' I always loved running it was something you could do by yourself  and under your own power. You  could go in any direction fast or slow as you wanted fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength in your feet and courage in your lungs.'' Another famous quote is: " When I came back after all those story's about Hitler and his snub, I came back to my native country and could not ride in the front of the bus I had to go in the back door I couldn't live where I wanted . Now what's the difference.''

Owens had trouble qualifying in the long jump. Jessie fell down a flight of stairs and was questionable if he would be physically able to participate he received  treatment up to his race time.

He begged  the coach to let him run in the 100 meter dash. He ran the race in 9.4 seconds which tied the world record.  While at the Olympics he made a new friend named Luz Long a tall, blond, blue eyed, picture of what the Nazi required as Aryan supremacy introduced himself to Owens and the 2 athletes had a friendly chat. Long didn't believe in Nazi racial nonsense. He suggested  that Owens simply play safe on his 3rd attempt on the long jump and take off from several inches before the foul line.  Owens took the advice and qualified. On the second  of his six jumps in the final round, he sailed 25 feet 10 inches breaking the Olympic record by 4 1\2 inches. But Long matched that, exactly, and the two tied for first place as Owens would win 4 gold medals, you would of had a lot of takers because he was scheduled to enter only 3 events.  On August 7 two days before the relay heats were to begin it was announced that Owens would properly replace Glickman, ostensibly so he could win a fourth gold medal.
When Owens returned to the United States he was greeted with a tickertape parade in New York City. That was his last true moment of glory.  Jessie accomplished tasks that had never been completed in the history of track- and -field. He was the first American in the History of the Olympics to win 4 gold medals in a single day. He left  school to run professionally( until 1948) so he could earn money for his family.  After that he started his own Public Relations firm. In 1976 he won the highest honor a civilian of the United States could win President Ford awarded him with the Medal of Freedom.  Another famous quote he wrote before he died was;'' You can melt down all the medals and cups I have and that won't  replace the 24 carat friendship I felt for Luz Long.''
He died on March 31, 1980 from lung cancer. Through all the trials and tribulations and success, he was a devoted and loving family man.  He married his longtime high school sweetheart Ruth Solomon, in 1935. Together they had 3 daughters Gloria, Beverly, and Marlene. To this day, Ruth and his daughter Marlene operate the Jessie Owens Foundation, striving to provide financial assistance and support to deserving young individuals that otherwise would not have the opportunity to pursue their goals. Jessie certainly be proud of their efforts.
 
Roni Channel

7th Grade Rossville Junior High

Spring 2001

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