Jesse Owens’ performance at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin remains one of the most significant and memorable moments in sports history. Against the backdrop of Nazi propaganda and racial tension, Owens not only showcased extraordinary athletic prowess but also delivered a powerful blow to Adolf Hitler’s ideology of Aryan supremacy. This article delves into Owens’ remarkable achievements in Berlin, the context of the era, and the lasting impact of his victories.
Jesse Owens was the star of the 1936 Summer Olympics.
Background and Context
The 1936 Summer Olympics, held in Berlin, Germany, were intended by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime to be a showcase of Aryan superiority. The games were heavily propagandized, with the Nazis aiming to demonstrate the dominance of the “master race.” However, the stage was set for an African American athlete from Alabama to challenge and ultimately dismantle these notions through sheer athletic excellence.
James Cleveland “Jesse” Owens was born on September 12, 1913, in Oakville, Alabama. Growing up in a segregated America, Owens faced significant racial discrimination but found solace and opportunity in athletics. His talent was evident from a young age, and he went on to set multiple world records in high school and at Ohio State University. By the time the Berlin Olympics arrived, Owens was already a formidable competitor on the international stage.
The Olympic Games
100 Meters Dash
The 100 meters dash was the first event in which Owens competed, and he quickly set the tone for his Olympic campaign. On August 3, 1936, Owens won the gold medal with a time of 10.3 seconds, tying the world record. His victory was a direct challenge to the Nazi propaganda, as he bested Germany’s own athletes in front of Hitler and a partisan crowd.
After a year-long delay due to COVID-19, the Tokyo Olympics officially start on July 23rd and will run until August 8th. However, there’s still a couple of weeks until the event, and with certain obstructions to the Games popping up, such as the banning of spectators due to a rise in COVID cases in Tokyo, it’s an excellent time to go over the Tokyo Olympics—the games being shown and how the Olympics have adapted to COVID.
The Tokyo Olympics: Changes
The major change to the Tokyo Olympics will be the aforementioned banning of all spectators during the event. The reason for this ban is because Tokyo will be under a state of emergency throughout the event. Instead of delaying the event yet again, organizers will reduce the risk of infection during the Olympics by ridding the arenas of spectators.
Along with the ban, athletes will be tested for COVID every day of the event. However, athletes will not be required to receive their vaccinations, though the IOC expects most athletes to have received their vaccinations by July 23rd.
The Tokyo Olympics: Sports Highlights
Not all changes to the Tokyo Olympics revolve around COVID, however. A few new sports and disciplines will be shown at the event, and they are definitely worth mentioning!
In total, six new sports will be broadcasted during the event, and out of those six, four will be making their debut.
Two of the “new” sports, baseball and softball, were previously cut from the Olympics in 2005 after a vote from the IOC. They will be making their long-awaited return in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
The Olympics is known for its world-class athletes and diverse sports. Throughout the years, this quadrennial event has undergone many changes including the elimination of certain sports. Some of these sports were dropped due to a lack of popularity or qualified athletes or just seemed to no longer fit the Olympic program. Here are some sports that were once part of the Olympic Games but have since been discontinued.
Jeu de Paume
This game was played only once as a medal event at the 1908 Olympics in London, but a version of the game was featured at the 1900 Paris Olympics as an exhibition sport. Played with balls and racquets on an indoor court, jeu de paume is considered to be the original form of tennis and sometimes referred to as “royal” or “real” tennis. Although the scoring for this event was much more complicated, some of the overall objectives of the game are similar to today’s version of tennis.
Live Pigeon Shooting
Making its only appearance at the 1900 Olympics, the objective of this event was to shoot as many live pigeons as possible from a 27-meter distance. Six birds were released at a time, and any shooter who missed two or more birds was eliminated from the competition. Many dead and injured birds and a gruesome mess were left in the wake of this event, and it was fortunately discontinued after these Olympics. Clay targets are used instead of live pigeons in today’s shooting events. Read the rest of this entry →
The Summer Olympics are always an exciting set of games played by the most elite athletes from all over the world. People from every corner of the globe travel or tune in to see the best compete for the gold. Fan favorites include gymnastics, swimming, and track and field events. However, there are a number of other events that don’t get the attention and support they might deserve. Here are a few of the lesser known, but just as exciting sports to check out in the upcoming year.
Canoe (Slalom/Sprint)
Canoeing entered the Olympic games in the 1936 Berlin games. Before it was often featured as a demonstration event. Athletes compete in canoes carrying one or two passengers. The event is typically 500 meters or 1000 meters. The length has changed over the years, with much longer races occurring in the past. The most recent change is the addition of a 200 meter event in 2009.
Handball
The Summer Olympic Games in Berlin also featured the debut of handball as an event. It was later dropped, then returned in 1972, again in Berlin. Women’s handball was added in 1976.
Water Motorsports
In 1900, water motorsports was featured as a demonstration sport of motorboats. The event was held only once as an actual event in 1908 and featured three races. The course was 40 miles and was hindered by gale force winds and wasn’t competed again. Most motor powered sports haven’t been introduced in the official Olympics, but fans of motocross, snowmobiling, and other sports can enjoy smaller events and competitions that feature worldwide athletes. Places like Bob’s Cycle & Snowmobile Supply stores and other sellers make this sport possible and affordable for more athletes all over.
Sailing
Although a less popular event than swimming, sailing can be an interesting water sport for its biggest fans. Formerly known as yachting, this event can be tricky to maneuver due to harsh weather conditions. It has been around since the Games of the Olympiad held in Greece in 1896 and has been present at every contest minus 1904. Read the rest of this entry →
To celebrate Martin Luther King Day, allow me to acknowledge one of the greatest athletes of all-time.
This extraordinary man helped initiate racial dialogue in America way back then in 1936 and will unwittingly do so now 80+ years later when a major motion picture about his life entitled Race releases next month.
Before MLB’s Jackie Robinson, the NFL’s Jim Brown, the NBA’s Wilt Chamberlain or boxing’s Joe Louis, track star Jesse Owens was regarded as the USA’s first ever African American sports icon.
On our country’s national holiday, let’s remember this great American who flew past his competitors on the track and soared above the hate and discrimination that he faced away from it.
The son of an Alabama sharecropper, James Cleveland Jesse Owens battled pneumonia as a sickly child before his family moved north to Cleveland, Ohio.
Years later, a much stronger and healthier 5’10” and 165 lb. Owens blossomed as an outstanding track and field athlete at Ohio State University. Read the rest of this entry →
Marvin Sharp was a coach during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
Every four years, young female gymnasts from all over the world draw the eyes of many nations and become stars of the summer Olympics. But with less than a year to Rio 2016’s opening ceremony, a Team USA gymnastics coach faces state and federal charges of child molestation and child pornography.
The coach, Marvin Sharp, owns and directs Sharp’s Gymnastics Academy in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was arrested on August 25, 2015, on suspicion of child molestation. Two days later, he appeared in court to hear the state charges against him: four counts of child molestation and three counts of sexual misconduct
In the investigation that followed Sharp’s arrest, officers searched his home and business and found thousands of child pornography images. Sharp faces additional federal charges related to the child pornography.
USA Gymnastics issued a statement the day of Sharp’s arrest. They affirmed that athlete safety is their top priority, saying these charges go against their philosophy and standards. They also stated they are cooperating with investigators regarding Sharp’s case.
Still, when situations like this arise, it’s helpful to examine how coaches become Team USA and Olympic team coaches. To qualify as a Team USA gymnastics coach, coaches must obtain a membership with USA Gymnastics. Membership requirements include a background check that lasts two years. Any coach at a Team USA–sponsored gymnastic event must have a membership.
Team USA Gymnastics coaches become Olympic coaches only if an athlete they train earns a spot as an Olympic athlete. To earn the five open spots, gymnasts must place among the top competitors at the US Olympic Trials. The individual all-around champion earns an automatic spot; a selection committee names four other team members and up to three alternates. Read the rest of this entry →
The Sports Then and Now Vintage Athlete of the Month was a standout player of the 1980s, remembered not only for his exceptional skills on the field but also for his exemplary character and sportsmanship.
Born on March 12, 1956, in Portland, Oregon, Dale Murphy’s journey to becoming one of the most respected players in baseball history is a testament to dedication, perseverance, and a genuine love for the game.
Early Career and Rise to Prominence
Murphy was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the first round of the 1974 MLB Draft. He made his Major League debut on September 13, 1976, at the age of 20. Initially a catcher, Murphy transitioned to the outfield early in his career, where he would solidify his place as one of the premier outfielders of his era.
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