30 Olympic athletes who dominated their events

19. Jesse Owens

“I let my feet spend as little time on the ground as possible. From the air, fast down, and from the ground, fast up.”

That’s Jesse Owens describing his own strategy for success as a runner. Famous for his speed and record-breaking accomplishments, legendary for his historic performance at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Nazi Germany, Owens might just be the greatest American track and field athlete of all time. Even if he’s not, he’s certainly the most important.

The Berlin Games were designed to be a showcase for Adolf Hitler, German superiority, and the myth of white supremacy. Tensions were near the breaking point as nations across the globe teetered ever-closer to the outbreak of World War II.

And in the midst of it all, Jesse Owens – a black man, and thus the perfect representative of what Hitler considered to be a lesser specimen – dominated all four of his events by winning gold in the 100 meters, 200 meters, long jump, and 4 x 100 meter relay events. There are differing accounts concerning Hitler’s reaction to Owens’ landmark victories, but logic and a basic knowledge of history would lead one to believe the Fürer must have been disappointed his racist beliefs were contradicted for all the world to see.

Next: 18. Alexei Nemov