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This week in Olympic sports history: March 25-31, Jesse Owens honoured 

Olympics.com looks at the week in Olympic sports history, picking out some Olympian birthdays and notable sporting events for the week of March 25-31.

5 minBy Ontiou Dasylva
Jesse OWENS
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On This Day - March 28, 1990 - Jesse Owens honoured with Congressional Gold Medal

On this day in history, March 28, 1990, Jesse Owens was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in the U.S., a tribute to the track and field athlete's enduring impact on American society.

"We remember Jesse Owens not only as the first athlete in Olympic history to win four gold medals. Today, ten years after the passing of this great hero, it's my honour to add to Jesse Owens' collection a fifth gold medal -- this one, as Ruth Owens said on Capitol Hill, for his humanitarian contributions in the race of life," former US President George H. W. Bush highlighted during the ceremony.

Four Gold medals at the Berlin Olympics 1936

Few athletes have made a more significant impact than Jesse Owens. A gifted athlete in college, he set three world records in 1935 at a meeting in Michigan, showcasing his skills in the men's 100m, 200m, long jump, and relay.

His most significant moment, however, came a year later at the 1936 Berlin Olympics held in Germany, where Nazi leader Adolf Hitler attempted to prove his theories of Aryan racial superiority. The African-American athlete stole the show, winning four gold medals in the 100m, 200m, long jump, and relay, defying racial prejudice and political tension.

Persevering against racial bigotry post-Olympics heroics

Despite his Olympic glory, Owens faced immense challenges on his return to a racially segregated America. Struggling to find steady employment, he became a poignant symbol in the fight for equality. In the years following his triumph in Berlin, the first USA athlete to win four track and field golds at a single Olympics held various jobs, including working at a gas station, serving as a playground custodian, and managing a dry cleaning business.

Due to the Second World War outbreak, the native of Oakville, Alabama, could not extend his Olympic legend and win additional medals. But he did more than enough during that week in Berlin. His U.S. record of four athletic golds stood alone for several decades until Carl Lewis equalled it in Los Angeles in 1984. His social impact will never be forgotten.

1975: Jesse Owens of the USA relaxes at home. Picture by Don Morley - Allsport UK /Allsport

(Don Morley - Allsport UK /Allsport)

Notable Olympic birthdays: March 25-31

Quote of the week - Don Barksdale

"To make it to the Olympics, one needs to put in tremendous work, dedication, and practice. It's a goal worth achieving, but only 1 or 2 per cent of the kids who try will make it. If you're lucky enough to be among them, be thankful for life"

Don Barksdale's Powerful words embody the spirit of perseverance and determination that drove him to overcome formidable barriers and racial quotas in his journey to pursue his Olympic dreams.

Born on March 31, 1923, Barksdale became the first African American to represent the United States in basketball at the 1948 London Olympics. He helped his team win the gold medal by beating France in the final.

In 1951, he again broke the racial barrier by joining the Baltimore Bullets. He was one of the league's first African-American players. Two years later, in 1953, he made history by becoming the first African-American to be named to the NBA All-Star team. This paved the way for future generations of Black athletes to pursue their dreams and break through racial stereotypes.

Don't forget to check back next week for another look into sports and Olympic history on Olympics.com.

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