On May 24th in sports history, one significant event took place in 1935 when Jesse Owens, the legendary American track and field athlete, broke three world records and tied a fourth at the Big Ten Championships in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Owens, who was representing Ohio State University, had a remarkable day that showcased his incredible athleticism and cemented his status as one of the greatest athletes of all time. In a span of just 45 minutes, Owens accomplished the following feats:
1. He broke the world record in the long jump with a leap of 8.13 meters (26 feet, 8 inches), a record that would stand for 25 years.
2. He tied the world record in the 100-yard dash with a time of 9.4 seconds.
3. He set a new world record in the 220-yard dash with a time of 20.3 seconds, breaking the previous record by three-tenths of a second.
4. He broke the world record in the 220-yard low hurdles with a time of 22.6 seconds, shaving four-tenths of a second off the previous record.
Owens' incredible performance at the Big Ten Championships served as a prelude to his historic achievements at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where he won four gold medals (100m, 200m, long jump, and 4x100m relay) and debunked Adolf Hitler's myth of Aryan superiority.
Jesse Owens' extraordinary accomplishments on May 24, 1935, not only showcased his exceptional talent but also helped pave the way for future African American athletes. His legacy continues to inspire generations of sportspeople around the world, and his record-breaking day at the Big Ten Championships remains one of the most remarkable individual performances in sports history.
