Awesome race. Awesome perks.
-- 2017 Participant Shirt --
-- 2017 Participant Medal + Ribbon --
-- 2017 Participant Bib Number - -
-- 2017 Informational Postcard --
Reads:
Congratulations!
YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED THE SMALL DETAILS ON YOUR PARTICIPANT MEDAL.
PLEASE READ BELOW TO LEARN A LITTLE ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF EACH.
9.12.13 : Birthdate of Jesse Owens.
Oakville, Alabama : Birthplace of Jesse Owens.
Great Migration : The Owens family joined the 1.5 million African Americans that left the segregated South.
Cleveland, Ohio : Where the Owens family moved for better opportunities.
J.C. : His real name (James Cleveland).
Jesse Owens : His new teacher misheard J.C. due to his strong southern accent, and "Jesse" stuck with him.
Fairmont JHS : The Junior High School Jesse attended. Jesse attributed his success to his junior high track coach. Fairmont is also where Jesse met his future wife.
East Technical HS : The High School Jesse attended, where his love for the sport developed and so did his accomplishments.
100y 9.4 - LJ 24'9 1⁄2" : Jesse equaled the world record of 9.4 seconds in the 100-yard dash and long-jumped 24' 9.5" at the 1933 National High School Championship in Chicago.
Columbus, Ohio : Owens attended Ohio State University after employment was found for his father, ensuring the family could be supported. Affectionately known as the "Buckeye Bullet."
8x National Champ : Jesse won a record 8 NCAA titles in two years, while dealing with many challenges specific to African-American athletes at the time. Difficulties such as having to work part-time jobs, as Owens did not receive a scholarship for his efforts.
5.25.1935 - 45 min., 4 world records : Widely regarded as the most impressive 45 minutes in sport history. At the 1935 Big Ten Championships Owens set 3 and tied a fourth world record in less than 45 minutes.
1936 Berlin, Gold 100, Gold 200, Gold 4x100, Gold LJ : While up against world-wide racial and sociatal issues, including Adolf Hitler hoping to use the Olympic Games as a platform to show a resurgent Nazi Germany, Owens countered by winning 4 gold medals.
Ribbon : Themed after the 1935 Big Ten awards and others of the era.