SPORTSMAN
The Olympic Games of 1936 were held in Hitler’s Germany. The American entry in the running board jump was Jesse Owens, a black man. The German entry was Luz Long, a blond, blue-eyed athlete who had trained all his life for this event. Hitler desperately wanted Long to win to support his propaganda for the “master” race. In the trials Jesse Owens did badly. He had to jump a qualifying distance of 24 & 1/2 feet, but failed in his first three attempts. Luz Long qualified easily. Then Owens, being extra cautious on his second attempt, fell three inches short of the qualifying distance. Owens was now extremely nervous. He might not even qualify to compete in the broad jump, let alone beat the Nazi superstar. Before his third and final try, he rested on one knee attempting to pray. Then someone called his name and put a calm, reassuring hand on his shoulder. It was Luz Long! “I think I know what…
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