Jesse Owens school in Chicago closer to reality

The original Jesse Owens Community Academy was closed in June amid a Chicago Public Schools program that closed dozens of schools. The students were sent to nearby Gompers Elementary School, named for labor leader Samuel Gompers.

On Wednesday, local school council leaders voted to rename the Gompers school for Owens. CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett says she will let the Board of Education know that she supports the move. The board has final approval.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported that Owens’ three daughters have said they would like the school renamed to honor their father. Owens won track-and-field gold medals during the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. He lived in Chicago.