Greatest American Olympians of All Time
Jesse Owens or Jim Thorpe
Pick Your Favorite
VS
Your GOAT List
Why This Battle Matters
Imagine if the spirit of the 1912 and 1936 Olympics collided in one monumental clash — that's the essence of the Jim Thorpe vs. Jesse Owens matchup. Here we have Thorpe, the versatile powerhouse of early 20th century athletics, against Owens, the sprinter who sprinted right into the face of Nazi ideology to claim his golds. This isn't just a battle of who ran faster or threw further; it's a legacy-defining showdown that pits raw, multi-sport agility against specialized, world-stage dominance. Which triumph speaks to you? Is it the broad-spectrum athlete or the focused hero who defied global tyranny? Your preference might just reshape how we define Olympic greatness.
🔥 Fan Takes
How Fans Are Voting
In this battle:
Fans currently prefer Jim Thorpe over Jesse Owens when it comes to the greatest American Olympians of all time. In head-to-head matchups, fans pick Jim Thorpe 57.9% of the time over Jesse Owens.
Across all battles:
Jim Thorpe win rate: 59.3%
Jesse Owens win rate: 66.0%
Fan FAQs
Why do fans love Jesse Owens?
Jesse Owens is adored for his incredible performance at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where he won four gold medals, defying Hitler's propaganda of Aryan superiority. His courage and dignity in the face of intense racism both home and abroad have made him a perennial figure of inspiration and admiration.
Why is the matchup between Jim Thorpe and Jesse Owens such a big debate?
The debate between Jim Thorpe and Jesse Owens is heated because it pits two legends from different eras against each other, each with unique achievements and barriers they broke. Thorpe dazzled in 1912 with his versatility, while Owens shone bright in 1936, challenging racial norms and political tensions. Fans are split depending on which story resonates more with them.
Who's the top contender in the Greatest American Olympians of All Time league on GoatWars?
Michael Phelps is leading the pack in the Greatest American Olympians of All Time league. You can check out his stats and the full GOAT List to see how he stacks up against other legendary athletes.