The family of track and field legend Jesse Owens viewed the world championship long jump final yesterday from the same VIP viewing box where Adolf Hitler watched the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany. 73 years ago, Owens demolished Hitler's claims of Aryan supremacy by become the first U.S., track athlete of any race to win four gold medals; Owen's victories came just three years before the outbreak of WWII. Much to Hitler's chagrin, Owens became fast friends with German long jump champion Luz Long; Long's family also watched yesterday's competition from the VIP box. The organizers of the competition paid tribute to Owens all week, but the ultimate tribute came when African-American Dwight Phillips jumped 8.54 metres to win the long jump gold yesterday. Phillips won the event in the 2004 Olympics and the world titles in 2003 and 2005.
In yo' face Hitler!
ReplyDeleteAfrican Americans and others of African descent will always excel at track. The world needs to accept that.
ReplyDeleteI LIKE HOW YOU GUYS TRY TO PUT IN A LITTLE EDUCATIONAL STUFF!
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