What is greater: 23 Olympic gold medals or 4 gold medals? Mathematically, the answer is always 23. Similarly, if comparing 8 Olympic gold medals to 4, the former is greater. However, in terms of Olympic spirit and pride, a 4 gold medal winner can still be considered victorious in both scenarios. A soccer legend believes this, and he has compelling reasons to support his view. Interestingly, Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt, winners of 23 and 8 Olympic gold medals respectively, might agree with him.

In the 2004 Athens Olympics, Michael Phelps earned four individual gold medals. Four years later, in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he added four more, surpassing Jesse Owens’ record of 4 Olympic golds in individual events. However, according to 61-year-old former soccer player Jose Mourinho, Jesse Owens remains the greatest Olympian he has ever known. Mourinho highlights Owens’ off-field achievements as well.

In the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Jesse Owens won three gold medals in track events: the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay. He also excelled in the field event, winning gold in the long jump. This all-around performance was unmatched until Carl Lewis achieved the same feat 48 years later in the 1984 Olympics. However, Lewis did not face the same challenges Owens did in Berlin and later in the USA in 1936.

In Berlin, Jesse Owens faced discrimination from locals, the press, and authorities for being a Black athlete. Upon returning to the USA, he experienced similar mistreatment. Despite setting multiple world and Olympic records and winning four gold medals, his social and economic conditions remained unchanged. However, Owens never gave up despite these hardships.

In later life, Owens became a public speaker, advocating for societal reform. This speaks volumes about the challenges he faced earlier in his career and his determination to win races despite the obstacles. According to Jose Mourinho, these factors place Jesse Owens far ahead of Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps. Another track legend also seems to share this sentiment.

Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt may fail because of the bigger message 

In several interviews, Usain Bolt, the Jamaican legend, has repeatedly admitted to idolizing Jesse Owens. However, as several sports journalists have pointed out, Owens traveled to Berlin in 1936 on a steamship, accompanying third-class passengers, including other African American athletes from the same team. Owens rose above these challenges by winning four Olympic golds, paving the way for his community to dream big. Notably, Michael Phelps did not face such obstacles.

Being a pioneer in track and field sports from an oppressed community elevates Owens’ legend. Michael Johnson shares this view. When asked to name the greatest athlete he has ever known, the four-time Olympic champion placed Jesse Owens at the top, with Usain Bolt in second. Stuart Owen Rankin’s comments on his late grandfather, Jesse Owens, provide further insight.

Recently, in an interview with CNN, Rankin conceded, “My grandfather’s legacy continues to prosper. When people do find out and it’s not often that I discuss it outwardly, but people do eventually find out, for example, perhaps through watching interviews like this, their response is always positive”.On the eve of the Paris Olympics, his statement underscores the importance of remembering the legend.