An Olympic medal won by track star Jesse Owens at the 1936 Games in Berlin has gone up for sale.
The medal — being auctioned online — recalls both the Nazi propaganda myths that Owens busted with his world record-setting 100-yard dash, and the American segregation he faced when he returned home to the U.S. after the Games, which Adolf Hitler orchestrated to showcase his ideas of Aryan supremacism.
"Almost singlehandedly, Owens obliterated Hitler's plans," SCP Auctions partner Dan Imler said. "You've got an African American, son of a sharecropper, grandson of slaves who overcame these incredible circumstances and delivered a performance for the ages."
Owens flies through the air during the long jump event in Berlin
Owens won gold in the 100 and 200metres, the 400m relay and the long jump.
SCP Auctions confirmed the medal is genuine. The whereabouts of the other three original gold medals is unknown.
