Plaque Category - Legend

Jesse Owens (USA)

4-time Olympic gold medallist

Ferry Field, Ann Arbor: 4 world records in 45 minutes, 25 May 1935.
(100y 9.4sec; 200m/220y 20.3; 200mH/220yH 22.6; long jump 8.13m).

While competing for the Ohio State Buckeyes track team, Jesse Owens became known as “The Buckeye Bullet.” In Ann Arbor, Michigan, on 25 May 1935 Owens set five world records and equalled a sixth in 45 minutes. He ran 100 yards in 9.4 to equal the world record, 10 minutes later flew out to 8.13m in the long jump, then sped to a 220 yards time of 20.3 (also a 200m world record) and finally covered the 220 yards hurdles in 22.6 (also a record for its metric equivalent). His long jump record was the first over 8m and not beaten until 1960.

1936 Olympic Games – 4 gold medals
9 ratified world records

Born: Oakville, Alabama, USA, 12 September 1913
Died: Tucson, Arizona, USA, 31 March 1980