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Jesse Owens
James Cleveland 'Jesse' Owens was born on September 12, 1913, in Oakville, Alabama, the son of sharecroppers and the grandson of slaves. When Jesse was nine years old, his family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, as part of the Great Migration, seeking better opportunities in the industrial North. It was in Cleveland where young Jesse's exceptional athletic talents were first recognized.
Full profile →Wayde van Niekerk
Wayde van Niekerk was born on July 15, 1992, in Cape Town, South Africa, into a family with deep athletic roots. His mother, Odessa Swarts, was a national-level sprinter and softball player, and several relatives competed in various sports at high levels. Growing up in the Kraaifontein suburb, van Niekerk showed natural athletic ability from a young age, excelling in rugby, cricket, and athletics at school. It was in track and field, however, that his extraordinary talent would find its fullest expression.
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