UNIT II: 2.2 MY GREATEST OLYMPIC PRIZE Jesse Owens (BBA & BHM STUDY MATERIAL)

BBA & BHM STUDY MATERIAL

UNIT II: 2.2 

MY GREATEST OLYMPIC PRIZE

Jesse Owens

ANSWER BRIEFLY

1. Why were nationalistic feelings running high during the 1936 Berlin Olympics?

Hitler had insisted that his athletes were members of a ‘higher race’.

2. Why does Jesse Owens dismiss the claim of Hitler as childish?

Hitler was a dictator, no doubt. But his casual remark of building the spirit of his athletes has been taken seriously.

3. Why was Owens expected to win the gold medal in the Long Jump hands down?

Owens had set a world record in Long Jump just the previous year. So Owens knew he could win the Olympics hands down. Additionally he had practiced hard for the Olympics.

4. Why did Owens become hot under the collar before the trials?

Owens was irritated about the Nazi’s Aryan superiority theory.

5. “I was no exception: - Explain.

An angry athlete is prone to making mistakes. Despite knowing this, Owens got angry that resulted in his underperformance which disallowed him to qualify in the first jump.

6. Why did Owens kick the pit in disgust?

Owens leaped for several inches beyond the take-off point that ended up in disqualification in the first jump of his trials.

7. What was actually eating Jesse Owens?

Owens was preoccupied with the disturbing thought of fouling in the finals.

8. Did Owens tell Long what was eating him? If not, why?

Owens did not admit to Long what was eating him because Long was just an acquaintance then, apart from being a Nazi rival.

9. Describe Luz Long.

Luz Long was taller than Owens with a lean muscular frame with clear blue eyes, fair hair and a strikingly handsome face.

10. How did Owens manage to qualify for the finals with a foot to spare?

Owens accepted Long’s advice to draw a line a few inches behind the take-off board which helped him qualify for the finals with a foot to spare.

11. How did Luz Long respond to Jesse winning the gold?

Long was beside Owens congratulating him when Owens finished his jump. He gave Owens a firm handshake that was devoid of any jealousy.

12. Why did Hitler glare at Luz Long and Jesse Owens?

Hitler had nurtured Long to win the Olympics. Not only did Luz Long lose but was congratulating Owens heartily on his victory. This angered Hitler.

13. What, according to Coubertin, is the true spirit of the Olympics?

Coubertin had declared that taking part in Olympics was more important than winning.

ANSWER IN A PARAGRAPH

1.    Why did Jesse Owens foul the first two jumps in the trial?

Despite knowing that anger spoils the spirit of an athlete, forcing him to make mistakes, he was angered at Hitler’s sly introduction of Luz Long to prove Aryan superiority. Owens, being a Negro, hated it and his angered at Hitler’s way belittled his determination to win the Olympics. Anger ruled his mind and made him foul in the first two attempts in the trials.

2.    How did Luz Long help Jesse Owens?

Luz Long, a true sportsman and an amazing human being, eased Owens’ tension by being compassionate. He gave him a genuinely friendly advice to draw a line a few inches from the takeoff board to avoid over-stepping and thus fouling. Owens took his advice and was able to qualify with a clean mind.

3.    How did the rivalry of Owens and Long end?

With Owens developing a misconception, the battle in his mind took over his determination to win. Long, who noticed Owens fouling, understood what Owens would be going through. Long’s decision to get acquainted with Owens eased Owens. Owens, after the trials, met Long in his quarters and both spent some quality time together knowing each other, thus leading to a long lasting true friendship.

4.    Explain the reference to Coubertin.

Coubertin had declared that taking part in Olympics was more important than winning. Luz Long, being a true sportsman and an amazing human being, helped his fellow sportsman to qualify in his jump that made him win. This shows Long believed in participating rather than winning. His rival’s winning did not make him jealous. On the contrary, he congratulated him with all his heart. This clearly exemplifies that Long believed in Coubertin’s words and passed the thought to Owens.

5.    What do you understand of Hitler from Jesse’s account?

Hitler had secretly nurtured a very strong Nazi youth and had kept him hidden until the day, to petrify other athletes, especially Owens. Hitler would have been fully aware that an angry athlete often errs and that perhaps was what he wanted. His slyness in doing so would allow his athlete to win, if not through competence, thus strengthening the Aryan superiority.

ANSWER IN 200 WORDS

1.    How did Luz Long exemplify the true sporting spirit?

Luz Long, noticing a world record holder pathetically fouling, understood the reason behind it. Without hesitation, despite being an opponent, he extends an arm of friendship to Owens. Long was expected to beat Owens in the finals. His being friendly with Owens will only result angering his leader. Without paying heed to that, he also gives his rival crucial tips to avoid fouling. Owens took the advice and won.

            When Owens finished his jump, he found Long by his side congratulating him on his victory, not bothering about his leader’s glares. He didn’t seem to mind his loss. His demeanor and handshake, at Owens’ victory, showed no sign of jealousy either. Long was the epitome of the message of Coubertin that not winning, but taking part in Olympics is more important.

2.    Describe the professional rivalry and professional friendship of Owens and Long.

            Initially Owens saw Luz Long as his professional rival since Long was indeed brought in by Hitler to beat Owens. His anger led to his fouling in the trials. Long, who noticed the unnatural development of a crisis in a world record holder, counseled Owens to focus on the jump by giving him a valuable tip. This not only took Owens by surprise, but also eased him and allowed him the opportunity to believe Long thus breaking the ice. He later visited Long at his quarters and they spent some time knowing each other. This paved way for building genuine friendship between the two. When Owens won the finals, Long was beside him congratulating him on his victory. Owens could sense no jealousy or regret in Long’s demeanor or handshake. It was a platonic wish coming right from the bottom of Long’s heart. He respected Long for it and knew that a strong friendship had bloomed between them.

3.    Which is considered as the greatest Olympic prize? Why?

Luz Long’s friendship was the greatest Olympic Prize that Owens ever won in his life. Luz Long’s compassion and camaraderie touched Owens. Luz Long recognized the battle in Owens’ mind and offered him a valuable tip. He was genuinely happy for Owens when he won the gold. He was by Owens’ side, congratulating him. It is very rare for a rival to offer professional tips but Long did. It is very rare for a rival to congratulate the winner without feeling a pang of jealousy. But Long felt none. What Long felt was evident in what he said and how he looked. His selflessness proves that he was an epitome of goodness and true sportsmanship. His congratulating Owens on his victory was of greater value to Owens than the gold medal itself. His genuine heart was so that Owens felt nothing could equalize the friendship that formed between the two.

4.    Analyze the character of Luz Long.

Luz Long, though trained in the Nazi youth school, evidently did not possess the sly characteristics of Nazis. His leader had brought him to take part in the Olympics to win. Long, though knowing the pressure on him, had not lost the spirit of a true sportsman. He had no inhibitions in offering his rival a very important tip even though it could have meant his failure. He saw his rival as a friend. Not just that, he was a good human being; he helped a person in distress. Long had nothing to hide. His intentions were clear. He had come to participate and winning to him was just a matter of effort.

           

 Knowing that Owens was a record holder, he did not try any foul means to win the event. His camaraderie won the heart of Owens. Owens was swept off his feet at this magnificent Nazi’s pure heart and led to a friendship beyond all material richness of the game. Long nurtured no jealousy at his failure. He genuinely congratulated Owens. He remained unbothered about having to face the wrath of his leader, for losing. Long broke the hope of his leader and his nation, but helped an able world record holder to set yet another record which he rightfully deserved. He also was by his rival’s side when he won the event. Long is the perfect example of a true sportsman.

source:priyadarshanisrikanth.blogspot.com