When Jesse Owens reached Berlin in 1936 to participate in the Olympic Games, the majestic Afro-American Athlete had a lot to prove. Though the 22 year old had broken several records prior to coming to Berlin, this was his first Olympics and he was desperate to showcase his prowess on the world stage under the shadow of Adolf Hitler’s Ideology.
The Long Jump
Jesse was expected to win the sprints , however there was competition for him in the Long Jump event from Carl Ludwig ‘ Luz ‘ Long, the champion from Germany. Luz Long easily made it to the finals of the competition, but Jesse was struggling. His first two attempts were fouls, and with just one more attempt left to qualify , Jesse sat down quietly, pondering his next move . He was on the verge of an unexpected exit.
Luz raises the spirit
Seeing Jesse worried, Luz on his own will kept his towel a few inches from the foul Line and asked Jesse to take off for the jump from where the towel was kept, thus ensuring he made no foul. Jesse heeded to Luz’s advise and qualified for the Finals. Luz’s was a true act of sportsmanship and that too in front of Hitler watching closely from the stands, spoke of his bravado as well.
Jesse then went on to win the Gold with Luz Long bagging the silver after a high intensity final in which both the athletes gave everything they had. No doubt Jesse owed his Gold to Luz as both athletes held each other in a brotherly embrace after the event. Jesse Owens went on to win 4 Gold Medals in the Olympics and created history . Much later in his remembrance of the event and Luz, he said “ It took a lot of courage for him to befriend me in front of Hitler …I would melt down all the medals and cups I have and they wouldn’t be a plating on the 24 karat friendship I felt for Luz Long at that moment “.
The end of Luz Long
Post 1936, the friendship between Jesse Owens and Luz Long went from strength to strength with both communicating through letters. The World War II happened and Luz being in the German Army was injured on 10th of July 1943 in the battle for the Biscari-Santo Pietro Airfield, when Allied forces invaded Sicily, in Italy. Luz Long died of his injuries 4 days later at a British Military Hospital and was buried at the war Cemetery in Sicily. He was just 30.
Luz’s last letter to Jesse
From the war front and just before his demise Luz wrote a letter to Jesse. He spoke about brotherhood, friendship and how human beings should live in peace as mere mortals. It was a heart wrenching letter in which he asked Jesse to visit his son Karl in Germany and tell him about their friendship once the war ended. Luz very well knew he was not coming back. As a true friend Jesse Owens travelled to Germany after the war and met Karl. It was Jesse’s way of paying homage to his great Friend and kept the bond alive.
A lesson learnt
Apart from the zeal to compete and get better, Sport teaches inclusivity, tolerance, respect and peaceful co-existence . The brotherly friendship between Jesse Owens and Luz Long is an inspiration for people not only in sports but from all walks of life.
Rest in peace Luz and Jesse
Never heard of or forgotten episodes of friendship, carmaderie , sportsmanship, character and inspiring mutual understandings are brought into limelight by Riz Khan in his popular blogs. Good usefully thoughtful contributions by him !