The Unlikely Friend Jesse Owens Made At The 1936 Olympics

According to Owens, Luz Long had only been a competitor of his until he learned that Jesse had one out of three chances left to qualify (via Independent). Taking time to speak with Owens, Long's suggestion of the former repositioning his distance marker supposedly spared the American, whose later victory prompted Hitler to leave the stadium. While their initial meeting was admittedly embellished, the two shared a real bond and stayed in contact until 1939 when Germany invaded Poland. 

In his last letter to Owens, Long asked his friend to seek out his son should he fall in battle, so that their friendship could continue (via Gariwo). In 1943, Long did indeed die after serving on the Italian front. After the war, Owens made good on his friend's request and met with Long's son as well (via Taipei Times). Later in life, Owens still looked back fondly on Long, finding their friendship and what it represented to be far more valuable than his athletic achievements.