The Ohio High School Athletic Association has renamed its annual state track and field championships in honor of legendary athlete Jesse Owens. The decision, approved unanimously by the OHSAA board, takes effect immediately and coincides with the 90th anniversary of Owens' four Olympic gold medals in 1936. This year's expanded event will run over four days in June at Ohio State's Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) announced on February 2, 2026, that its state track and field championships will now be known as the OHSAA Jesse Owens Track and Field State Championships. The renaming honors Jesse Owens, a Cleveland native and one of the most iconic figures in track and field history. Owens, a graduate of Cleveland East Tech High School, won nine OHSAA state events during his junior and senior years in 1932 and 1933, setting seven state records. At Ohio State University, he achieved a remarkable feat on May 25, 1935, at the Big Ten Championships in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he set three world records and tied another in the 100, 220, 220 low hurdles, and long jump—all within about 45 minutes.
Owens' crowning achievement came at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Nazi Germany, where he became the first American to win four track and field gold medals in a single Games: the 100 meters, 200 meters, long jump, and 4x100 relay. His victories served as a powerful rebuke to Adolf Hitler's racist ideology, symbolizing perseverance and barrier-breaking. This year marks the 90th anniversary of those triumphs, and Owens passed away on March 31, 1980.
The renaming stems from the Jesse Owens Initiative, "Beyond the Finish Line," led by The Soul of Philanthropy Cleveland, in partnership with The Ohio State University, The Jesse Owens Foundation, and aligning with The Ohio 250 Commission's efforts to celebrate Ohio's contributions to the nation's 250th anniversary. Kevin Johnson, a co-founder of The Soul of Philanthropy Cleveland, stated, "The idea to rename the championships grew from a belief that Jesse Owens’ legacy should be permanently honored in Ohio... We’re committed to honoring Jesse Owens not only as a global icon, but as a proud son of Cleveland whose story continues to inspire generations of Ohioans and beyond."
OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute emphasized the significance: "We are extremely excited to honor Jesse Owens in this way. His name and accomplishments speak for themselves, and having their picture taken in front of his statue during the state championships is the goal of every track and field athlete in Ohio. Renaming the state tournament after Jesse Owens is a natural and will continue to lift up his legacy for everything he meant to Ohio and our country – on and off the track."
In addition to the name change, the OHSAA revealed details for the 2026 event, expanded from three to five divisions—a shift first announced in January 2025. The championships will span four days, June 4-7, at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium on the Ohio State campus, which opened in 2001 and hosts OSU track and field, soccer, and other events. The schedule begins Thursday afternoon with Division V field events and concludes Sunday with Division II running finals. Last year's two-day meet drew over 35,000 attendees, including fans, competitors, and officials.
