At Waterloo on leaving for America: Jesse Owens, the American Olympic Record Breaker. 19 August 1936. James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens (September 12, 1913 - March 31, 1980, aged 66) was an African American track and field athlete. He participated in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany, where he achieved international fame by winning four gold medals: one each in the 100 meters, the 200 meters, the long jump, and as part of the 4x100 meter relay team. ?TopFoto