No. 6 -- Jesse Owens ESPN SportsCentury : Season 1 Episode 54

Jesse Owens was an American track and field athlete who specialized in the sprints and the long jump, and was recognized in his lifetime as perhaps the greatest and most famous athlete in track and field history. He achieved international fame at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany, by winning four gold medals: 100 meters, long jump, 200 meters, and 4 × 100-meter relay. He was the most successful athlete at the Games, contrary to Hitler's belief in Aryan supremecy.