Strange Moments

August, 1984

Jesse Owens (above). The son of an Alabama cotton picker, he reigned over Hitler's parade in the '36 Berlin games by meeting or setting 12 Olympic records and winning gold medals in the 100 and 200 meters, long jump and sprint relay.Bob Beamon. This gangly American stunned the world in '68 by launching a 29'2-1/2' jump (a record many thought would stand for years).Mark Spitz (above). In the '72 games, this cocky 22-year-old silenced the critics by swimming to seven gold medals--every one a new w...