Importance

Jesse Owens was an important contributor to both athletics and civil rights (“How Jesse Owens…”). As an African American athlete he was gaining support throughout our country. He was being recognized even in the deepest parts of the South (“How Jesse Owens…”). He also accomplished this in Berlin, Germany, the country where Hitler was showing off his Nazi beliefs (O'Neil). Owens set world records in both the long jump and 200 meter dash (“How Jesse Owens…”). In the long jump event Jesse Owens defeated Germany’s top runner, Carl Long (O'Neil). After the Olympics, The Chicago Defender carried an article which came from Berlin which read: "Jesse Owens is the god of the sports fan here." (Perry). Jesse Owens, an African American, returned home to a segregated country with Olympic medals and world records (“How Jesse Owens…”). After he returned, he made it acceptable throughout the country to support an African American as a role model (O'Neil).