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15 greatest Olympians to appear on a Wheaties box

By Josh Criswell

Jul 9, 2015; Montreal, CAN; A general view of the olympics rings on top the Canada Olympic House. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 9, 2015; Montreal, CAN; A general view of the olympics rings on top the Canada Olympic House. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports /
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The gold, silver and bronze medal winners in the long jump competition salute from the victory stand at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. From left, Japan’s Naoto Tajima (bronze), American Jesse Owens (gold) who set an Olympic record in the event and offers an American-style salute with his hand to his forehead, and Germany’s Luz Long (silver) giving a Nazi salute with his arm extended out. August 8, 1936.
The gold, silver and bronze medal winners in the long jump competition salute from the victory stand at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. From left, Japan’s Naoto Tajima (bronze), American Jesse Owens (gold) who set an Olympic record in the event and offers an American-style salute with his hand to his forehead, and Germany’s Luz Long (silver) giving a Nazi salute with his arm extended out. August 8, 1936. /

3. Jesse Owens, Track & Field

The Olympics have a funny way of enabling sports to integrate itself into social and political issues. Given global nature of the games, the various societal factors at work during them and the grand stage on which they play out, this comes as no surprise.

There is perhaps no greater case of this than the story of Jesse Owens at the 1936 Summer Games in Berlin.

In one of the most dominant performances in track and field history, Owens took home gold in all four events he competed in. He set world records in the 200 meters and 4 x 100 relay, and topped the previous Olympic-best in the long jump.

Unfortunately, Owens dealt an onslaught of racism as a prominent African-American in the 1930’s, and this aspect of his story is what drives its relevance away from the athletic arena.

It is commonly believed that German leader Adolf Hitler, who was in the midst of his tyrannical reign, failed to shake Owens’ hand and recognize his accomplishments because he was black. But according to multiple accounts, including from Owens himself, American president Franklin D. Roosevelt might have been more guilty than anyone of snubbing the Olympian.

Owens made strong accusations against the democratic president while addressing a crowd at a Republican political rally that fall, according to a 1936 article from the St. Joseph News-Press.

"“Hitler didn’t snub me – it was our president who snubbed me,” Owens said. “The president didn’t even send me a telegram.”"

Owens was placed on a Wheaties cover following the 1936 games, making him the first black athlete ever depicted on the cereal box. He would make another appearance in 2003.

Next: No. 2

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