The 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany, was a landmark event in the history of modern sport. Easybuzz It was also the stage for a remarkable rivalry between two of the greatest athletes of the era: Jesse Owens of the United States, and Luz Long of Germany. Owens, the son of an Alabama sharecropper, was the first African American athlete to win four gold medals in a single Olympics. 2daymagazine He was a symbol of hope and inspiration to people of color around the world. Long, a German soldier and law student, was a powerful figure in his own right. He was one of Germany’s most celebrated athletes and a favorite to win the long jump at the 1936 Olympics. Newstimez The two men met for the first time at the Olympic trials in June
1. Owens had just finished a qualifying jump, but his foot had stepped outside of the board, invalidating his attempt. Long was the first to offer Owens sympathy and advice on how to improve his technique. Travelantours The two men met again in the finals of the long jump event, where their rivalry became legendary. Owens had the first jump of the competition and set the bar high with a leap of 7.94 meters. Long, who was determined to beat Owens, responded with an even better jump of 8.08 meters. Owens had one last chance to beat Long and he succeeded, leaping 8.06 meters to take the gold medal. Worldtour7 In an amazing display of sportsmanship, Long hugged Owens and congratulated him on his victory. The rivalry between Jesse Owens and Luz Long was more than just a competition. It was a testament to the power of sports to bring people together in a spirit of friendship and understanding. Travels guide The two men have since become symbols of hope and perseverance, inspiring generations of athletes to strive for greatness.
