To the Editor:

In your most recent issue (August 2011, page 16) there is a story entitled "KCKN Radio," by Joe H. Vaughan Jr. There is a caption for a picture of Jesse Owens and Dave Chapman which reads in part, "In that earlier era, he was the first non-white competitor to represent the United States in the world games (Olympics)."

I take exception to that statement on several counts.

In 1924 at the Olympics held in Paris, France, Afro-American William DeHart Hubbard won the broad jump. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Hubbard, who went on to a distinguished career with the federal government, during my stint as the Cleveland, Ohio, representative for the Pittsburgh Courier.

The 1932 Olympics were held in Los Angeles, and two Afro-Americans competed. Edward Gordon won the long jump and Eddie Tolan won the gold medal in the 100-meter dash and the 200-meter dash.

At the 1936 Olympics, where Owens won medals in four events, setting Olympic records, he was joined by fellow Afro-Americans Cornelius Johnson, who won the high jump; Archie Williams, who won the 400-meter dash; and John Woodruff, the winner of the 800-meter run. Ralph Metcalf, who went on to become an outstanding judge in Chicago, joined Owens in the 100-meter dash and ran on the winning 400-meter or 4x100 meter relay.

My source was not only my memory but the African American Desk Reference, as published by the New York Public Library, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

I think your readers should be aware of the true facts and not what was printed in the caption.

—George J. Dunmore, Olathe

Editor's note: Mr. Dunmore has been writing for black newspapers and publications for 65 years and still submits articles to the Kansas City Call and the Kansas City Globe. He is public relations officer for the Heart of America Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen of America, Inc. He will turn 80 this month.