The Jesse Owens International Trophy is an annual sports award that is given out by the International Athletic Association (IAA), named after Olympic sprinter Jesse Owens. It has been awarded annually since 1981, with the exception of a ten-year break from 2004 to 2014. In 2002 and 2003, it was briefly renamed "American-International Athlete Trophy" before it returned to its original name.
The award was created and promoted by Herb Douglas, American long jumper and Olympic silver medalist in 1948. Douglas was inspired by Jesse Owens and founded the IAA. After the pause due to Douglas' old age, former Penn Quakers football player Wesley E. Smith became chairman of the International Athletic Association and rebooted the award.
There is a separate and unrelated annual track and field award called the Jesse Owens Award given out by USA Track & Field since 1981.
Criteria The award is presented to "that amateur athlete who, in the opinion of an international blue-ribbon panel of sports experts, best personifies those qualities of that great Olympian after whom it is named. Those qualities are excellence in athletic accomplishment and performance, a high standard of sportsmanship, and a sincere commitment to cooperation among peoples of all nations". In 2016, the winner was selected by polling the (AIPS), an international organization of sports journalists.
List of recipients
Year Winner Nationality Sport 1981 Long-track speed skating 1982 Athletics 1983 Athletics 1984 Athletics 1985 Athletics 1986 Athletics 1987 Diving 1988 Athletics 1989 Athletics 1990 Athletics 1991 Road bicycle racing 1992 Athletics 1993 Artistic gymnastics 1994 Athletics 1995 Speed skating 1996 Athletics 1997 Athletics 1998 Athletics 1999 Athletics 2000 Road bicycle racing 2001 Athletics 2002 Swimming 2003 Road bicycle racing Not awarded from 2004 to 2013 2014 Athletics 2017 Tennis
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