On May 9, at 10 a.m., Ferry Field in Ann Arbor will be the site of a historic unveiling ceremony. The International Athletics Foundation will replace the plaque commemorating Jesse Owens’ incredible achievement with a new one that honors his remarkable accomplishments.
The original plaque, dedicated in 1985, stood at the southeast corner of Ferry Field and recognized Owens’ world record-breaking feats during the 1935 Big Ten Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Despite battling injuries, Owens managed to match and break world records in the 100-yard dash, long jump, 220-yard dash, and 220-yard low hurdles on May 25, 1935.
A year later, Owens went on to win four gold medals at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany, with Nazi leader Adolf Hitler in attendance. However, due to issues with copyrights and ownership rights on the original plaque, it was recently removed from Ferry Field.
The new World Athletics Heritage Plaque will now take its place at Ferry Field, continuing to recognize and celebrate Owens’ historic achievements. Members of Owens’ family are hopeful to be in attendance at the unveiling ceremony on May 9th as they pay tribute to their father’s legacy.
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