A Review of Olympic Champion by Jesse Owen

James " Jesse " Owens will always be remembered as the hero of the 1036 Olympic Games in Berlin Germany. Jesse Owens would become the first American to win 4 track and field medals in one Olympic game.

This feat would be honored on postal stamps from countries around the world, large and small. Stamps and overprints would be issued to celebrate Jessie Owens 4 gold medals. The first country to issue a stamp was XXXXXXXX, in 19XX; this stamp showed a picture/overprint of Owens. More than 100 stamps have been issued to honor Jesse Owens as a Olympic Champion; his victory is honored every year the Olympic games are held by countries around the world.

James " Jesse " Cleveland was born September 12, 1912, in Oakville, Alabama this would be his home for nine years. The family would move to Cleveland, Ohio. to seek better opportunities in life. Jesse speed and love of running would be discovered in a gym class when they timed the students in the 60 yards dash. Coach Riley quickly ask Jesse to join the track team, here Jesse would learn to improve his track and field skills. Coach Riley knew Jesse speed would make him the ideal candidate for the 100 and 200 yard dash plus a great long jumper also. He would compete in the high jump and hurdles. Jesse would become a high school track sensation at Cleveland East Technical High School, by setting a high school record in the 100 yard dash with a time of 9.4 seconds.

Jesse would be recruited by many colleges but Ohio State would be his choice, since it was close to home. Jesse wasn't offer any althelic scholarships to Ohio State, so he would have to work three jobs to pay for school .Jesse success on the track would continue at Ohio State setting a Big Ten record in the long jump.

Owens was a member of the 1936 U.S. Olympic team competing in Berlin. The African-American members of the squad faced the challenges not only of competition but also of Hitler's boasts of Aryan supremacy. Owens won a total of four gold medals at the Olympic games. As a stunned Hitler angrily left the stadium, German athletes embraced Owens and the spectators chanted his name. He returned to America to a hero's welcome, honored at a ticker tape parade in New York. However, within months, he was unable to find work to finance his senior year of college. Owens took work as a playground supervisor, but was soon approached by promoters who wanted to pit him against race horses and cars. With the money from these exhibitions, he was able to finish school.