Sports
Sports

On this Day: Jesse Owens wins fourth gold medal at 1936 Olympic Games

Jesse Owens was one of the greatest athletes in American history. Owens made his mark in 1936 when he won four gold medals at the Olympic Games in Berlin. In his dominance, he embarrassed Adolph Hitler, who was trying to use the games to showcase Aryan supremacy. Owens died from cancer on March 31, 1980.
Jesse Owens was one of the greatest athletes in American history. Owens made his mark in 1936 when he won four gold medals at the Olympic Games in Berlin. In his dominance, he embarrassed Adolph Hitler, who was trying to use the games to showcase Aryan supremacy. Owens died from cancer on March 31, 1980.
By Juliakate E Culpepper
Aug 9, 2017

Eighty-one years ago on Aug. 9, 1936, United States track star Jesse Owens won his fourth gold medal at the Berlin Olympic Games when the United States won the 4x100 relay.

Owens and the United States relay team set a new world record for the 4x100 relay of 39.8 seconds which stood for 20 years.

In the final, the United States won gold, Italy won silver with a time of 41.1 seconds and Germany won bronze with a time of 41.2 seconds.

About the Author

Juliakate E Culpepper
More Stories

Keep Reading

The city of Atlanta gave Georgia State University the green light to start construction on a new baseball facility. (Courtesy of Georgia State University Athletics)

Credit: Georgia State University Athletics

Georgia State gets OK for baseball facility project at iconic sports site

Construction on the project, which is estimated to cost $15 million to $16 million, is scheduled to be complete by fall 2026.

Mercer announces familiar name as new football coach

Team’s former defensive coordinator will take the reins from Mike Jacobs.

Terance Mathis out as Morehouse football coach

Terrence Mathis is out as Morehouse football coach, the school announced Wednesday. Morehouse went went 4-16 in two seasons under Mathis.

The Latest

Braden Atkinson, winner of the Jerry Rice Award for being the top freshman football player in FCS, will have a new coach next year. (Courtesy Mercer University Athletics)

Credit: Mercer University Athletics

Mercer announces familiar name as new football coach

Georgia State gets OK for baseball facility project at iconic sports site

Terance Mathis out as Morehouse football coach

Featured

A MARTA operator is seen inside the control room of one of the new MARTA trains during the unveiling of these trains on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

MARTA chief says new train cars give smooth, quiet ride

Interim CEO Jonathan Hunt told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s editorial board he is focused on project delivery, which he said is key to winning back public trust.

God’s Acre: Former Native American boarding school reveals complex history

A Native American boarding school established by Moravian missionaries in North Georgia in the early 19th century reveals a complicated and compelling history.

Why Midtown’s holiday lights display is a little less vibrant this year

Midtown Bright, the annual winter lights display, was cut back this year.