Owens’s record spree earns him USATF Throwback Athlete of the Week honors

INDIANAPOLIS -- Jesse Owens set or tied six world records on May 25, 1935 and was selected as winner of the tenth USATF Throwback Athlete of the Week award. In the absence of competition during the Covid-19 pandemic, we are taking a weekly look back at some of the great efforts by American track and field athletes through the years.
 
The greatest individual hour in track and field history happened at Ann Arbor on that date as the University of Michigan hosted the Big Ten Championships. Ten minutes after equaling the world record of 9.4 in the 100-yard dash, Owens sailed out 8.13m/26-8.25 to break the long jump world record by six inches and become the first man past 8 meters. His mark stood as the WR for 25 years.
 
Owens went on to break the world records in the 200m and 220y with a 20.3 clocking and polished off his 45 minutes of glory with a 22.6 to set world records in the 200m hurdles and 220y hurdles. 
 
At the Berlin Olympics in 1936, Owens staked his claim as one of the greatest athletes in history by winning four gold medals, sweeping the 100m and 200m and adding the long jump before helping the U.S. to gold in the 4x100m relay.
 
Other historical performances of note from the May 25-31 period in USATF history:
 

• May 26 — Kate Schmidt American record in women’s javelin, 63.36m/207-10 at Modesto, California in 1973
• May 27 — Rick Wohlhuter American record in men’s 880y, 1:44.6 at Los Angeles, California in 1973
• May 28 — Jim Beatty American record in men’s mile, 3:58.0 at Modesto, California in 1960
• May 29 — Hal Connolly World record in men’s hammer, 71.06m/233-2 at Ceres, California in 1965
• May 30 — Wendy Brown American record in women’s triple jump, 13.58m/44-6.75 at Austin, Texas in 1985
• May 31 — LaTanya Sheffield American record in women’s 400m hurdles, 54.66 at Austin, Texas in 1985

 
Now in its 19th year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on USATF.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
 
2020 Winners: January 9, Miranda Melville; January 16, Paul Perry; January 23, Natosha Rogers; January 30, Tyler Day, February 6, Devin Dixon; February 13, Elle Purrier; February 20, Tori Franklin; February 27, Sandi Morris; March 4, Abdi Abdirahman; March 12 Marielle Hall; March 19, Tim Tollefson; April 2, Louise Ritter; April 9, Francie Larrieu Smith; April 16, Erin Gilreath; April 23, Suzy Powell; April 30, Joe Dial; May 7, Dawn Ellerbe; May 14, Ramona Pagel; May 21, Brian Oldfield; May 28, Jackie Joyner-Kersee; June 4, Jesse Owens.
 
We welcome your nominations!
 
To nominate an athlete for USATF Athlete of the Week, please send a detailed email about his/her performance to communications@usatf.org.
 
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