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 β in the end β to the best within us.
Jesse OwensRead
Although I wasn't invited to shake hands with Hitler, I wasn't invited to the White House to shake hands with the President either.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Owens highlights the significance of standing firm against adversity, regardless of recognition or reward.
In this quote, Jesse Owens reflects on his experiences of exclusion and discrimination, asserting that not being invited to shake hands with significant figures, such as Hitler or the U.S. President, does not diminish his achievements or his worth. It emphasizes the courage required to rise against oppressive circumstances and challenges societal norms, reminding us that validation from authorities does not define one's greatness.
Themes
CourageAcknowledgmentResilienceDiscriminationAchievement
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could inspire athletes facing discrimination to continue striving for excellence.
More from Jesse Owens
All quotes βIf 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.
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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
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?
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
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