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Jesse Owens 2-21-04
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Jesse Owens 2-21-04
Jesse Owens was a fantastic running broad jumper and a great man of the Olympics. He was born in 1913 - 1980. His name James Cleveland Owens. A teacher thought that he said “Jesse” not “J.C.” and he was called Jesse from then on. Jesse joined a school track team. He practiced in the morning because he had to work after school. In high school Jesse Owens tied the world record for the 100-yard dash (with a time of 9.4 seconds). When Jesse Owens traveled with his team, he had to stay in “blacks-only” restaurants and hotels. This was before Dr. King and civil rights.
When Jesse Owens was in college, he beat three world records and a fourth he tied, all in 70 minutes total. In 1936 he won four gold medals in Olympics in Germany. He embarrassed Hitler, the head of the Nazis.
Back in America, they wouldn’t pay him for endorsements because he was black. Instead for money he raced against horses and baseball players with a head start. He also gave public speeches.
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