Trib Total Media will host a Facebook Premiere of “Olympic Oak: the story of John Woodruff, the 1936 Berlin Olympics and the roots of Athlete Activism” at 7 p.m. tonight.
Woodruff, a Connellsville native and University of Pittsburgh freshman, won gold in the 800-meters track and field final. His victory came a day after Jesse Owens won his first of four gold medals in those games. The accomplishments of the African Americans on that U.S. team — the most ever at that point in history — helped pave the way for more opportunities in sports for Black athletes in America and elsewhere.
The 18 African Americans on that team all helped to dispel Adolf Hitler and his Nazi regime’s misguided theory of Aryan supremacy.
An oak tree that was awarded Woodruff along with his medal still grows strong at Connellsville’s Falcon Stadium.
The live premiere can be viewed here.
The full article and 28-minute film can be seen here.
The Tribune-Review also published an editorial about Woodruff’s accomplishments and legacy.
