Author | Michał Mazurkiewicz |
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Title | Breaking Barriers, Shaping History: African American Sports Autobiography (Jesse Owens) |
Keywords | autobiography, American sport, Black Americans, Owens, racial issues |
Pages | 103-113 |
Full text | |
Volume | 37 |
This article analyzes the life and social impact of the Black American track and field athlete Jesse Owens (1913‒1980). It draws primarily on the athlete’s autobiography, but also on other historical sources. The complex historical background of sporting events (including deep-rooted problems such as international tensions and racism) is presented, particularly with regard to the 1936 Olympic Games. The article shows that a sports autobiography reflects not only the development of the individual concerned, but also changes taking place in sport, as well as society in general.