9781422284292

GREATEST MOMENTS

Owens Owns Berlin

The Summer Olympic Games of 1936 were held in Berlin, Germany, at a time of great unrest. The Nazi party came to power in 1933, and its leader Adolf Hitler saw the event as a platform to showcase the Nazis and their idea of the racial supremacy of Caucasians. American sprinter Jesse Owens had other ideas. The 100 meter (109 yard) sprint took place on August 3, 1936. Hitler was in attendance for what is considered to be the signature event of the Summer Games. Not only did Owens and fellow black teammate Ralph Metcalfe finish first and second, but Owens also tied the world-record time of 10.3 seconds. Owens would go on to further prove his supremacy by winning three more gold medals.

8