Phelps is racing sharks for fun, Owens raced horses because he needed money

This is not a mirage: Jesse Owens really is getting ready to race a horse in 1938.

PALM DESERT, July 19, 2017 – The silly Michael Phelps vs. a Great White Shark show coming Sunday is designed to be fun and entertaining. But man vs. beast was no joke for another Olympic champion 81 years ago.

Jesse Owens won four gold medals in Berlin in 1936, but he couldn’t find a job when he returned to the U.S. So, he had to race horses to pay his debts.

We remember Owens’ pain in his own words in our Lane One commentary, plus full coverage of the FINA World Championships in Aquatics and much more:

= p. 5/Aquatics: U.S. scores first medals in Budapest in diving, open water and synchro!
= p. 11/Fencing: Strong U.S. team headed for Leipzig and 2017 World Champs;
= p. 13/Football: U.S. men in Gold Cup quarterfinals in Philadelphia tonight!
= p. 14/Cycling: Decision time in the Alps for the 2017 Tour de France!
= p. 17/Triathlon: Flora Duffy joins elite company with third win in a row!

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