Could Jesse Owens Have Run The 400m?

[Guest]

I'm simply asking this question because:

1) He arguably had the most beautiful stride of any sprinter ever, and he looked as if he flowed like a quartermiler;

2) His overall pure talent. Remember, this guy broke 4 world records in one day.

3) Would the Americans beat Britain had they put him in the anchor leg of the 4x4 in Berlin '36 (David Wallichensky suggested it in "The Complete Book Of The Olympics)? I know running three relays wears a man out, but...

Did Owens ever run 400m? Peace.

[Guest]

Re: Could Jesse Owens Have Run The 400m?

>I'm simply asking this question because:

1)
>He arguably had the most beautiful stride of any
>sprinter ever, and he looked as if he flowed like
>a quartermiler;

2) His overall pure talent.
>Remember, this guy broke 4 world records in one
>day.

3) Would the Americans beat Britain had
>they put him in the anchor leg of the 4x4 in
>Berlin '36 (David Wallichensky suggested it in
>"The Complete Book Of The Olympics)? I know
>running three relays wears a man out,
>but...

Did Owens ever run 400m? Peace.

A clear up. Wallichensky did NOT suggest that Owens himself run the 4x4 (sorry about that). He was explaining the "reasoning" behind the USOC's exclusion of two Jewish members of the 4X1. Coach Lawson Robertson commented that he wanted the fastest US team possible. Wallichensky then commented that if coach Robertson was that concerned, he should have paid more attention to the 4x4, which the USA lost to the Brits by more than 12 yards. At no point did he specifically mention Owens running the 4x4. Peace.

[Orange]

Re: Could Jesse Owens Have Run The 400m?

I think a good indicator would be if he had any attempts at the open 440 in High School (to earn easy points) or if the opportunity ever presented itself to run a 440 leg on the mile relay in college. I think the depth of competion always plays a part with athletes who are able to compete in multi events. Jesse was world class in 3 events plus the 4x100 relay. Maybe that was enough. The same question could be posed for Carl Lewis.

[Guest]

Re: Could Jesse Owens Have Run The 400m?

I've been handed the job of historian of Ohio track & field, but I don't have quite the depth of knowledge to tell you if he ever ran the 440 in HS (although I can quickly get in touch with someone who would know for certain). My best guess is no; his team, Cleveland East Tech H.S., already had good 440 men. Besides, he already did almost too many events -- 100, 220, relay, low hurdles, long jump. I'm not sure when the four-event rule came into being, but if it was in force back then I'd be 99.9% sure he never ran the 440.

Lewis, on the other hand, did run the 400 a few times in early-season meets. I seem to remember a low-45 second time from the early 90s.

Speaking of Owen's high school, the school record board over there must have been pretty interesting (and might still be). Besides Owens (who is still #3 on the all-time Ohio HS LJ list), East Tech had Harrison Dillard, Dave Albritton (silver in '36 OG HJ), Ricky Pittman (5-time US-ranked steepler and an 8:46 HS runner), and Ray Marks (1:50.3 in HS). Pretty good for the midwest!

[Guest]

Re: Could Jesse Owens Have Run The 400m?

The reason I wrote this thread: I wonder if Jesse could have saved the day in the Berlin 4x4. Yes, I know he would have been worn thin, but...

[gh]

Re: Could Jesse Owens Have Run The 400m?

He would have gotten the baton 0.7 down. Godfrey Brown ran an unpressed 46.7 for the Brits (U.S. anchor 48-flat), so Owens would have had to run at least 45.9-46.0. Given that the WR at the time was 46.1, even with the advantage of a running start I think it might have been asking a bit much.

All that was required to "save the day" was to run the open gold (Archie Williams) and bronze (Jimmy LuValle) medalists instead of the lesser squad that was fielded.

[dj]

Re: Could Jesse Owens Have Run The 400m?

The U.S. had a world record team sitting on the sidelines. In addition to Williams and LuValle, they had the 800m champion, John Woodruff, and the 400H winner, Glenn Hardin. Both were worth sub-47 for relay legs at the time.

[Guest]

Re: Could Jesse Owens Have Run The 400m?

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[Guest]

Re: Could Jesse Owens Have Run The 400m?

If Jessie Owens wanted to run the 400, he could have run a good one.

[Pierre-Jean]

Re: Could Jesse Owens Have Run The 400m?

I've red something interesting in an old French book, even though it's hard to believe!

"Owens, parfait exemple de décontraction musculaire, passe professionel à 21 et an: Dommage! Dans un essai demeuré secret, il avait courru le 400 mètre en 45 s 5/10 !"

Source: Encyclopédie des Sports (1961? Jean Dauven), Section Athlétisme written by Gaston Meyer, p.67.


I don't know when he his supposed to have run that 45.5 time-trial, but to put that in perspective, the WR in 1936 was 46.1 by Archie Williams!

[Guest]

Re: Could Jesse Owens Have Run The 400m?

OWENS DID ON RELAYS WAS A NATURAL 46 IN CINDERS 45 LATER ON PUSHED MAYBEE 44 IN DIRT.NEVER GAVE IT MUCH THOUGHT.

88YEAR OLD BUCK EYE.
THANX