USA OLYMPIANS OF GREATER CLEVELAND AND NORTHEAST OHIO PLAZA

The City of Cleveland, a place we all call home, has a rich and celebrated history of sporting success. From the Browns, Indians, and Cavs, who have all brought home championship titles, to the outstanding athletes who have proudly represented our city on the national stage, we’ve always had a reason to cheer. And let's not forget the young, promising athletes from our colleges and high schools who have consistently excelled in their sports and earned state and national recognition.

It’s time for us to realize and salute the many outstanding superb athletes who have represented our country as Olympic athletes in the Summer and Winter Games. We’ve researched and found nearly 90 Olympic participants, 26 of them as medal winners. This significant number will compare favorably with any city of comparable size in the U.S.

Of course, two of our local Olympians who have gained international acclaim are JESSE OWENS and HARRISON DILLARD. Both are East Tech High School graduates, and both won four gold medals in track and field. Jesse won the 100, 200, long jump, and the 4 x 100 relay in Berlin in 1936, much to the dismay of Adolph Hitler. He also set four world records in 90 minutes at the Big 10 Track Championships held at the U. of Michigan in 1935. Harrison upset the best sprinters in the world to win the 100 and the 4 x 100 relay in London in 1948. He returned to win the 110 hurdles and the 4 x 100 relay in Helsinki 1952. No male athlete has ever won the sprint and the hurdles in Olympic history as Dillard did. It will never be done again due to specialization.

There already exists a bronze statue of Owens downtown, and the sculptor who created a sculpture of Dillard a few years ago can readily make another. They would become two featured figures for an OLYMPIC PLAZA in Cleveland. In addition, we are planning a beautiful 7’ x 8’ MONUMENT, which will include engraved names of all area Olympians, the gold, silver, and bronze medal winners, and space for future Olympians to be included.

We will have a campaign to raise money for this project when it is unveiled, and lighting and landscaping are also being planned. A patio of paving bricks will surround the monument, and patrons will be allowed to add their names for a modest donation.

I’ve briefly outlined this project, a dream that has been readily realized. At $70,000, it is modest for such a significant addition to the City. However, it inspires all attendees, our youth, and visitors to First Energy Stadium, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Science Museum. In addition, we visualize that the Cleveland area schools will bring students to the area on field trips, inspiring our future athletes.

Olympic Plaza Proposed by:
Ted J. Theodore
234-678-8489
irenented1@gmail.com