Luz Long, a German athlete of exceptional talent, left an indelible mark on the world of track and field by claiming the silver medal in the long jump event at the 1936 Summer Olympics, held in the iconic city of Berlin. What's more, he demonstrated an extraordinary display of sportsmanship by offering valuable technical guidance to his competitor, Jesse Owens, who would go on to claim the gold medal in the long jump. This remarkable gesture exemplified Long's character and set a shining example for athletes worldwide.
In addition to his Olympic achievements, Long was a dominant force in German long jump competitions, winning the national championship an impressive six times in 1933, 1934, 1936, 1937, 1938, and 1939. His impressive skills continued to be showcased on the international stage, as he finished third in the 1938 European Championships in Athletics long jump with a remarkable distance of 7.56 meters.