Jesse Owens, Olympic Champion

A full figure portrait of 4-time Olympic gold medalist Jesse Owens captured in the moment that he crossed the finish line at the 1936 Berlin Games. The Ohio state alumnus' sculpture bears the name of "OHIO" on the front of his jersey. He celebrates with his hands in the air in front of him. His eyes are closed, taking in the monumental victory. His lead foot is set on the tip of a gold pyramid, and his back foot is raised in the air behind him.

Jesse Owens is one of the greatest athletes of the twentieth century. Apart from winning four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games in Nazi Germany, he is also known for breaking three world records and tying one in the span of 45 minutes at a Big Ten track meet in Ann Arbor in 1935. Part of Owens' legacy supersedes sports as well. He is known for having upset Hitler by completely destroying the narrative of Aryan supremacy by being a black man accomplishing historic feats of athleticism right in the capital of Nazi Germany. Unfortunately in his lifetime, he was faced with nearly insurmountable opposition despite his success, being snubbed by both FDR and Hitler after his Olympic victories.