"You could melt down all my medals, but never recreate the 24-karat friendship born on the Berlin platform," said Jesse Owens (1913–1980), winner of four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, about his German rival, Luz Long (1913–1943).

Jesse Owens’s story is familiar: an African-American sprinter in segregated America, he beat the Germans at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, challenging Nazi racial doctrine. Owens stated in his memoirs that he was not snubbed by Hitler after his victory, but rather by President Roosevelt—a persistent misconception. What is less known: in Berlin, Owens forged a remarkable friendship with Lutz Long (called Luz), the German runner-up, his supposed ideological opposite.

Although Long embodied the ideal German extolled by Nazi propaganda—tall, strong, blue-eyed, and blond—he did not share the regime's racial beliefs. On the contrary, he gave his rival Owens valuable advice on how to compete at the Olympics. Even more daringly, after finishing second in the race, Lutz embraced Jesse Owens, who had placed first, before the entire stadium in a remarkable display of sportsmanship.

When World War II began, Long served on the front lines and died in Italy in 1943 at age 33. Even from the trenches, he corresponded with Owens, asking him shortly before his death to support his son after the war. Owens kept his promise at the first opportunity.

Recognised as a symbol of peace by the Olympic Committee in 2000, this gesture demonstrates how sport powerfully unites people in love, respect, and friendship, transcending senseless hatred that divides individuals and nations.