Jesse Owens won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics, set in the backdrop of Nazi Germany

Jesse Owens’ grandson said his track-legend grandfather’s successes at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin were a ‘thumb in the eye‘ to Adolf Hitler.

To commemorate the 4th of July, and the beginning of the Paris Olympics in 2024, Owens’ name was back in the news as one of the greatest American Olympians of all-time.

Owens’ grandson, Stuart Owen Rankin, told CNN how his grandpa’s four gold medals mattered in much more than sports.

Jesse Owens’ grandson said his track-legend grandfather’s successes at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin were a ‘thumb in the eye‘ to Adolf Hitler.

To commemorate the 4th of July, and the beginning of the Paris Olympics in three weeks, Owens’ name is back in the news as one of the greatest American Olympians of all-time.

Owens’ grandson, Stuart Owen Rankin, told CNN how his grandpa’s four gold medals mattered in much more than sports.

Owens found ways to take down those from Nazi Germany, and around the world, to continue to be relevant in sports today.

Owens’ grandson Stuart Owen Rankin recently detailed his grandfather’s legacy

‘My grandfather’s legacy continues to prosper,’ Rankin said to CNN. ‘When people do find out and it’s not often that I discuss it outwardly, but people do eventually find out, for example, perhaps through watching interviews like this, their response is always positive.’

‘Their response is one that fills me with pride. Again, their response speaks to my grandfather’s accomplishments and the enduring quality of what he did in ‘36 and sort of the timelessness of those accomplishments,’ Rankin continued.

Rankin also discussed Owens’ friendship with German competitor Luz Long.

                        Jesse Owens and Luz Long

Per Rankin, Long gave Owens advice on how to better his long-jump form before the event where the two went head-to-head.

Long passed away while in the German army fighting in World War II, but the Owens and Long families are still in contact today.

‘What came from that was a bond, a brotherhood, a connection between two world class athletes on the highest stage of their particular event or sport,’ Rankin said.

Written by Eric Blum for The Daily Mail ~ July 4, 2024