Serena Williams And Muhammad Ali To Receive Jesse Owens Awards

This year's historic ceremony falls on the 81^st anniversary of Jesse Owens' incomparable triumph at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where he won four gold medals and defeated Hitler's superiority ambitions. Herb Douglas Jr., bronze medalist in the 1948 London Olympics and protégé of Jesse Owens, co-founded the Award program with Owens' widow Ruth and their three daughters in 1981. They saw a need to honor Owens and created this annual, charitable celebration where the biggest sports icons of yesterday and today gather to continue his legacy.

"Jesse Owens used the global stage of the Olympics and his status as a world-class athlete to make a considerable difference in the world," said Herbert P. Douglas, Jr., Co-Founder and Chairman Emeritus of the International Athletic Association Board of Directors and oldest living African American Olympian. "We are thrilled to be recognizing Serena Williams who is one of the greatest athletes of our time and the quintessence of uncompromising sportsmanship."

Jesse Owens Athlete Trophy:
Williams, regarded by many as the best player to grace the tennis court, will be honored with the Jesse Owens International Athlete Trophy. The award is presented annually to the world's best athlete as voted by a group of electors consisting of sports writers and experts across the world. Serena joins the ranks of past Owens trophy winners Carl Lewis, Greg Louganis, Sebastian Coe, Haile Gebrselassie, Edwin Moses, Vitali Scherbo, and Eric Heiden, among others. 

Jesse Owens Global Peace Award:
Muhammad Ali, considered one of the most significant global sports figures of the 20th century, will posthumously receive the Jesse Owens Global Award for Peace. The three-time heavyweight boxing champion's achievements in the ring were arguably exceeded by the symbol of peace and justice he came to represent outside of it. Over time, he became a revered international hero. In 1984, Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and he passed away in June of 2016. His family will accept the Award in his honor.

The gala, a touchstone annual event celebrating the intersection of athletic achievement and ethical sportsmanship, will take place on Thursday, April 27, 2016 at Jazz at Lincoln Center. All proceeds go to the Jesse Owens Scholarship Fund at Ohio State and the Herb Douglas Jr. Scholarship at the University of Pittsburgh.

For more information, please visit JesseOwensGala.com.

About the International Athletic Association
The International Athletic Association (IAA) is a non-profit organization established to promote and to encourage universal values of fairness, integrity, uncompromising sportsmanship and excellence in athletic competition. Committed to keeping alive the spirit, heart, and qualities of world renowned US Olympian, Jesse Owens, the IAA hosts the Jesse Owens International Trophy Award Gala to support youth and aspiring Olympic athletes.

The International Athletic Association (IAA) was co-founded by US Olympian Herbert Douglas Jr., to honor his friend and mentor, Jesse Owens.

About the Jesse Owens Foundation
The Jesse Owens Foundation is a non-profit organization whose goal is to promote the development of youth to their fullest potential. Established in 1980 by friends and family after the untimely death of Jesse Owens, the foundation perpetuates the ideals and life's work of this Olympic champion and humanitarian. The Jesse Owens Foundation seeks to perpetuate the spirit and beliefs of Jesse Owens through its support of The Ruth and Jesse Owens Scholars Program at The Ohio State University. This program provides services to graduating high school seniors with untapped potential to develop their talents, broaden their horizons, and to help them become better citizens. Currently, The Foundation serves as a resource for information and referral on the life and legacy of Jesse Owens and provides its services on a competitive basis without regard for race, creed, color, national origin, or sex.

SOURCE International Athletic Association