The People: Jesse Owens Gets World Athletics Heritage Plaque
5/11/2024 10:40:00 AM | General, Men's Track & Field, The People
A World Athletics Heritage Plaque, only the 12th ever placed, was dedicated to Jesse Owens on Thursday at Ferry Field.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – On Thursday at Ferry Field in Ann Arbor, Mich., a World Athletics Heritage Plaque was dedicated to Jesse Owens for his record-breaking performance in 1935. Only 12 World Athletics Heritage Plaques have ever been placed. Owen’s granddaughter, Marlene Dortch, was in attendance at the dedication ceremony.
A Worlds Athletics Heritage Plaque is a location-based recognition which highlights, celebrates and links together iconic and historic athletic competitions, careers, performances, cities, venues, landmarks and culture around the world.
The Worlds Athletics Heritage Plaque is awarded for “an outstanding contribution to the worldwide history and development of the sport of track & field athletics and other stadia athletics disciplines such as cross country, mountain, road, trail and ultra-running and race-walking.”
In 1935 at Ferry Field, Jesse Owens made history by setting four world records in the span of 45 minutes. Read more about his legacy HERE.
Gallery: Jesse Owens World Athletics Heritage
We appreciate World Athletics and the University of Michigan for honouring not only a great in our programme but a great in the sport of track and field. We are appreciative that everyone here can recognise that this is someone who has left a legacy beyond the rivalry and really what it means to be able to promote our sport, promote what Jesse Owens has done for the sport of track and field and continue to live out that legacy.Rosalind Joseph
