On July 11th, 1936 at the Olympic Trials in New York City, Jesse breezes to victory in the 100 meter, the 200 meter and the long jump. The next day Jesse meets Babe Ruth at a dinner honoring the Olympic athletes. When Babe Ruth asks Jesse if he is going to win at the Olympics, Jesse replies, “I will try.” Babe tells Jess, “Everybody tries, I succeed. Why? Because I know I’m going to hit a home run just about every time I swing the bat. I’m surprised when I don’t. Because I know it, the pitchers, they know it too. Know, Jesse, that you will win!”

Jesse Owens departs for Berlin three days later.

Beginning on August 1, 1936, Jesse Owens wins the gold medal in the 100 meter with a 10.3 second time, tying the world record. On the 4th, he wins the gold medal in the long jump with 26 feet 5 1/4 inches, setting a new Olympic record. On the 5th, he wins gold in the 200 meter with a 20.7 second time, setting a new Olympic record. On the 8th, Jesse, Ralph Metcalfe, Foy Draper and Frank Wykoff win the gold medal in the 4×100 relay with a time of 39.8 seconds, setting a new world record.