by cocokitten

Created on: April 27, 2008   Last Updated: August 07, 2008

In August 1936 the Berlin Olympics opened for the first time with a torch. The flame had been carried in relay from the home of the first Olympians in Greece. It was a dramatic and symbolic opening for what became known as the Nazi games. Eager to illustrate the superiority of the Aryan race, the games were soaked in propaganda. Fortunately there was one athlete that would change the games completely. Hitler was very selective in the winners he personally congratulated and Olympic officials demanded that he meet with all winners or none. He choose none as the number of African American and other non-Aryan winners was growing by day two of the two week games.

Despite wide knowledge of the treatment of Jews by the Nazi government and growing opposition to their involvement, the American team did participate. A young Field and Track star, Jesse Owens was to become the one of the greatest Olympiads to date. Winning a total of 4 gold medals in as many days Jesse Owens was a shining example of the spirit of the Olympics, participation and excellence. The son of share croppers and the grandson of slaves Jesse had already battled to overcome great adversity in his treatment by officials. Working his way through college, denied sponsorship and forced to deal with segregation he triumphed in 100m, 200m, Long Jump and 400m relay. In total 13 African Americans became winners, all with stories of hardship and prejudice against them.

The Nazi propaganda machine was shown for the hollow farce it really was, even the Germans people crowded in the stadium were calling Owens' name against all the propaganda. His success was shown around the world as this was the first Olympics to be recorded and televised. There is a story that Jesse Owens was personally snubbed by Hitler, this is not true, in Jesse's own words "It wasn't Hitler that snubbed me it was FDR."

In fact, Owens was to recount his treatment in Berlin as more welcoming than Washington, he received no Presidential invitation or acknowledgment. On his return to America he was offered no sponsorship deals or endorsements due to his colour and the political times in which he lived. Three years after the Olympics he was declared bankrupt and had to raise money with stunts like out running a race horse. It wasn't until the 1970's that Jesse Owen was honoured by his native land for his achievements.

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