The grandson of slaves and son of sharecroppers, Owens was rescued from a bleak lifetime of poverty by his incredible athletic gifts.
In a span of just 45 minutes in 1935, Owens broke five world records and tied another. He entered the 1936 Berlin Games as a heavy favorite.
Owens did not dissapoint, winning gold medals in the 100 meters, 200 meters, long jump, and the 4x100 meter relay.
What's more, with his triumphs and grace, Owens demonstrated to the world that the Nazi theories of white superiority were false.
But upon returning home, Owens was virtually ignored and had to resort to racing horses. Eventually, Owens became a sought-after and inspirational public speaker.
Olympic Legends
