Owens has the record of breaking five world records and equaling a sixth within the space of an extraordinary hour in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on May 25, 1935.

In the next year at the Berlin games, Owens equaled the Olympic record winning the 100 metres, broke the Olympic record he had earlier set in the 200 metres final and defeated the home favourite Lutz Long in the long jump category.

Owens’ fourth gold medal came in controversial circumstances. At a Games watched by Adolf Hitler and his henchman, who exploited the propaganda opportunities at an Olympics, two Jewish members of the original 4x100 metres relay were excluded and Owens included in the winning four member team.