Top Team USA Moment: Jesse Owens indomitable in Berlin

Jesse Owens had already cemented his place in track and field history when he set six world records in less than an hour when representing Ohio State University at the Big Ten Championships in Ann Arbor in 1935.

With Adolf Hitler presiding over the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Jesse Owens captured four gold medals and set four world records for the U.S.

But it was his four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin that turned him into a global sporting icon.

The four track and field gold medals at a single Games, a feat not equaled until Carl Lewis won the same quartet of events - 100m, 200m, long jump and 4x100m relay - in 1984, was all the more poignant because Adolf Hitler had wanted to use the Olympics to showcase his Nazi ideals and philosophy.

Owens firstly took the 100m gold in 10.3 seconds, a time which equaled the Olympic record.

The following day he won the long jump with another Olympic record of 8.05m (26-5½), a victory made more famous by his relationship with local hero Luz Long, a favorite of Hitler, which transcended sport after he helped Owens adjust his run up during the qualifying competition to ensure that he made the final after two fouls had put him on the brink of elimination.

One day later, Owens added his third individual gold and his third Olympic record with a 200m victory in 20.7, and his work in Berlin was completed when he ran the first leg on the U.S. 4x100m relay team that set a world record of 39.8.

Owens died in 1980 but his legacy lives on in many ways, including USA Track and Field's highest accolade being named in his honor.