The road to the Olympics, leads to no city, no country. It goes far beyond New York or Moscow, ancient Greece or Nazi Germany. The road to the Olympics leads — in the end — to the best within us.
Jesse OwensRead
When I came back, after all those stories about Hitler and his snub, I came back to my native country, and I could not ride in the front of the bus. I had to go to the back door. I couldn't live where I wanted. Now what's the difference?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote illustrates the struggle against racial discrimination and the courage to confront injustice.
In this quote, Jesse Owens reflects on his experiences of returning to America after his Olympic triumph, emphasizing the harsh reality of racial segregation that persisted despite his accomplishments. He points out the irony of achieving greatness on the world stage while still being subjected to the same prejudices that marginalized him in his own country, highlighting the stark contrast between personal success and societal acceptance.
Themes
RacismSegregationCourageJusticeDiscrimination
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about civil rights, one might quote Jesse Owens to highlight the ongoing struggle for equality.
More from Jesse Owens
All quotes →If you don't try to win you might as well hold the Olympics in somebody's back yard. The thrill of competing carries with it the thrill of a gold medal. One wants to win to prove himself the best.
Jesse OwensRead
A lifetime of training for just ten seconds.
Jesse OwensRead
In the end, it's extra effort that separates a winner from second place. But winning takes a lot more that that, too. It starts with complete command of the fundamentals. Then it takes desire, determination, discipline, and self-sacrifice. And finally, it takes a great deal of love, fairness and respect for your fellow man. Put all these together, and even if you don't win, how can you lose?
Jesse OwensRead
I wanted no part of politics. And I wasn't in Berlin to compete against any one athlete. The purpose of the Olympics, anyway, was to do your best. As I'd learned long ago from Charles Riley, the only victory that counts is the one over yourself.
Jesse OwensRead
Only by God?s grace have I made it to see today and only by God?s grace will I ever see tomorrow.
Jesse OwensRead
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