Jesse Owens Olympic glory was celebrated around the world, his dominance at the 1936 Olympic Games making him arguably the most famous Olympian.
Following his success, in a letter sent to President Franklin Roosevelt, H.R. O’Keefe put forward suggestions for an extravagant homecoming, citing the political and social gains:
“It would seem that a move of this kind would be a Master stroke for many obvious reasons – politically and otherwise…This should please the negro race because of Jesse Owen[sic] and the other colored Americans…I believe that the most extreme Southerner would laud you for this very discreet and timely move.”
