Jesse Owens

James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens (September 12, 1913 - March 31, 1980) was an African-American athlete and civic leader. He participated in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany where he won four gold medals and achieved international fame.

Trivia

• Running in Berlin, Owens (like most of the athletes) wore track shoes made by Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik, a German firm. The company later split in two, becoming Adidas and Puma.
• Owens endorsed presidential candidate Alf Landon in 1936.