It’s all too easy to forget as we approach the strife-filled Olympics this week what excellence and awe-inspiring accomplishments can happen as the world watches with full hearts and hopeful eyes.
Wednesday was the 80th anniversary of Jesse Owens winning the 100-meter dash in Berlin. In front of Adolf Hitler.
Jay GreesonIn a lot of ways, as the Summer Olympics are set to open in Rio on Friday, we could use another Owens-like performance in the wake of the discontent and ill will inside our borders and out.
With suffocating pressure and scrutiny, Owens won four golds in those Games. A staggering performance under any measure and under even the best circumstances, but a truly historic one considering the racial tensions around the world, especially in Nazi Germany.
It’s a pretty fitting reminder, too, as we approach these Games, considering all of the negativity surrounding this event.