The 1936 Berlin Olympics, held under the looming shadow of Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime, was intended to be a demonstration of Aryan racial superiority. Instead, it became the stage for one of history’s most profound moments of friendship and sportsmanship between two athletes.
Jesse Owens enters the spotlight
The XIth Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany, began on August 1 with the opening ceremony attended by Chancellor Adolph Hitler. Jesse Owens, an African-American athlete, entered the Games as a favourite in track and field. The long jump event didn't start well for him, but Owens lived up to the expectations by winning Gold in the 100 meter sprint.
An unexpected act of sportsmanship
During the long jump qualifiers, Owens fouled his first two attempts and risked elimination. In a now-legendary—though possibly apocryphal—moment, Luz Long, his German rival, reportedly advised him to jump from a few inches behind the board to ensure a fair attempt. Whether literal or not, the story endures as a symbol of rare sportsmanship and trust.
Victory and a powerful image
Owens took the advice, made a safe third jump, and qualified. In the finals of the long jump competition, Jesse jumped 8.06 meters to win; Luz finished a close second with a jump of 7.87 meters. The two walked off the field together, arm in arm: a stunning sight in Nazi Germany.
Contrasting reactions: Hitler vs Luz
The International Olympic Committee told Hitler he must either greet all medallists or none, and he chose the latter, widely seen as a move to avoid acknowledging non-white athletes. In contrast, Luz Long’s warmth toward Owens spoke much of empathy and sportsmanship. His gesture, however, drew a sharp reprimand from the Nazi regime.
A friendship beyond the field
This friendship didn’t end in Berlin. The two corresponded by letter for years. Luz Long was drafted into the German army and died in a British military hospital in Sicily in 1943. Before his demise, Long wrote a heartfelt letter to Owens, asking him to find his son, Karl, after the war and tell him about their friendship. Owens fulfilled that promise years later by meeting Karl and sharing the story of this unique friendship.
Owens on Long
Jesse would say of his Olympic friendship with Luz, “It took a lot of courage for him to befriend me in front of Hitler… You can melt down all the medals and cups I have and they wouldn’t be a plating for the twenty-four karat friendship that I felt for Luz Long at that moment.”
Legacy of a timeless bond
The Owens-Long friendship is often cited as one of the most touching examples of sportsmanship in Olympic history. It transcended ideology, race, and nationalism at a time when the world was heading towards war. Their story remains a powerful lesson in mutual respect and the enduring human capacity for empathy, even amidst the most divisive circumstances.
Image source: ww2history.org
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