June 20, 1936 – Faster than fast that was how many described him. Jesse Owens the American sprinter, was a legendary athlete and trailblazer for people of color. On this day over 80 years ago, Mr. Owens set the 100-meter record at 10.2 seconds while representing Ohio State at this NCAA-sanctioned event. The previous record was 10.3 seconds.
Think about that for a moment…100 meters is roughly 109 yards. The record for the 100-meter sprint that stands now is 9.58 seconds by Usain Bolt in 2009. Owens went on to win a total of 4 events at the NCAA championships of 1936.
Besides winning the 100-meter sprint he also claimed the ribbons at the 200-meter sprint, 220-yard low hurdles, and the broad jump too. Quite an athlete…quite a man.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network

Searching for the “Zest” of the 1931 Chicago Bears
Throughout the history of professional football, every so often you might notice a club

1973 Atlanta Falcons – Best Season In First Decade Of Existence
The Atlanta Falcons joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1966. Like most

Fanatics Raises the Bar for Sportsbooks with New Prediction Platform
The sports betting industry, which has taken the world by storm over the past

Top 6 Types of Wild Symbols In Online Slots
Wild symbols are a standard feature in many online Slots. They act as substitutes

Cheltenham Comebacks and Shock Wins: The Moments Nobody Expected
Cheltenham has a way of pulling stories out of horses that you don’t see

How Prepaid Access Shaped Casual Sports Gaming
Before apps auto saved cards and one tap wallets became standard, casual fans who

How the World of Sports Learned to Completely Accept the Betting Industry
Professional sports leagues once treated gambling like a contagious disease. Team owners banned players

Horse Racing, High School Rivalries & Lesser-Known Missouri Sports Stories
Missouri’s sports timeline is a layered scrapbook: dusty 19th-century racetracks, high school rivalries that