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Jesse Owens

Jesse Owens Quotes

Olympic athlete

Jesse Owens, born on September 12, 1913, and died on March 31, 1980, was an American Olympic athlete renowned for his four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. His achievements, not only in sports but also in breaking racial segregation in the era of racial discrimination, have made him a legendary figure in the history of American and world sports.

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Famous Jesse Owens Quotes

“People say that it was degrading for an Olympic champion to run against a horse, but what was I supposed to do? I had four gold medals, but you can't eat four gold medals. There was no television, no big advertising, no endorsements then. Not for a black man, anyway.”

“The battles that count aren't the ones for gold medals. The struggles within yourself - the invisible, inevitable battles inside all of us - that's where it's at.”

“If you don't try to win you might as well hold the Olympics in somebody's back yard. The thrill of competing carries with it the thrill of a gold medal. One wants to win to prove himself the best.”

Ifs Want Trying Wells Might Winning Sports Prove Gold Athlete Carrie Olympics Yards Thrill Competing Medal Gold Medals

Author:Jesse Owens

“After I came home from the 1936 Olympics with my four medals, it became increasingly apparent that everyone was going to slap me on the back, want to shake my hand or have me up to their suite. But no one was going to offer me a job.”

Want Home Hands Jobs Sports Four Offers Athlete Shakes Olympics Medal Slap

Book:I Have Changed

Source: I Have Changed

“I had four gold medals, but you can't eat four gold medals.”

Four Gold Medal Gold Medals

Author:Jesse Owens

“The only victory that counts is the one over yourself.”

Running Victory Over You Olympics Medal Gold Medals Olympic Games Olympics Games Olympic Medals

Book:Jesse, a spiritual autobiography

Source: Jesse, a spiritual autobiography

About the Author

Born: September 12, 1913
Died: March 31, 1980
Known for: Olympic athlete
Quotes: 54

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Books & Sources

Jesse, a spiritual autobiographyRelated source material

I Have ChangedRelated source material

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