Berlin 1936: Jesse Owens, the African American who contradicted Hitler’s theories

IOC1936-08-01

The Olympic Museum

The Olympic Museum
Lausanne, Switzerland

First, the starter pistol, then the clamour, and finally victory. Jesse Owens, aged 23, with a stunning turn of speed, won not only the 100m, but also the 200m, the long jump and the 400m relay! Images and sound for a mythical moment. Despite the affront (a black triumph), Hitler gestured to Owens with a wave of the hand. Owens said later, going against all the commentators of the time and not without provocation, that he felt more valued by Hitler than by the segregationist America that he returned to after the Games.

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  • Title: Berlin 1936: Jesse Owens, the African American who contradicted Hitler’s theories
  • Creator: IOC
  • Date Created: 1936-08-01
  • Location: Berlin, DE
The Olympic Museum

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