1936 Olympic Games in Berlin

Jesse Owens' 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin

• Jesse Owens' main goal was to disprove Hitler's Aryan supremacy theory.
• Owens was surprised during the broad jump trials because he was not accustomed to the new style of take-off boards used in the Olympics.
• Owens was determined to perform well during the broad jump trials because he saw the event as an opportunity to defeat the German athlete Luz Long, who was favored to win.
• Owens mentioned being 'no exception' to refer to the fact that he, too, would experience the same kind of pressure and nerves as other athletes during the competition.
• Owens' anger towards the biased Olympic officials, who were lenient towards the German athletes, had a positive impact on his performance, driving him to push himself harder.
• Hitler hoped to achieve a propaganda victory by keeping Luz Long hidden until the Olympic trials, showcasing the perceived superiority of the Aryan race.
• 'Der Führer' refers to Adolf Hitler, the German Chancellor at the time.
• Owens leaped from beyond the take-off board on his first qualifying jump due to his inexperience with the new take-off board style.
• Setting a world record at Ohio State University was significant for Owens as it boosted his confidence and prepared him for the Olympic Games.
• Based on the text, it can be inferred that Owens' strategy going into the Olympics was to focus on defeating the German athletes, particularly Luz Long, and disprove the Aryan supremacy theory.

Test your knowledge on the historical context and personal motivations of an athlete participating in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin amidst political tensions. Explore the challenges faced and ambitions of the athlete during this significant event in history.