Jesse Owens, a young African-American athlete, enrolls at Ohio State University and meets track and field coach Larry Snyder. Recognizing Jesse's exceptional talent, Snyder sets out to train him for the 1936 Berlin Olympics, despite the pervasive racial discrimination and socioeconomic challenges Jesse faces. As he prepares for the international competition, Jesse battles both personal and systemic obstacles, including balancing his training with the demands of fatherhood and the financial stresses of supporting his family. Meanwhile, the political climate grows tense, with the Nazi regime planning to use the Olympics as a propaganda tool to promote Aryan supremacy.

As the Berlin Olympics approach, the debate over whether the United States should boycott the games intensifies due to Adolf Hitler's oppressive policies. Jesse must also navigate his internal conflicts and rising pressure from various civil rights groups who seek his participation as a powerful act against racism. In Germany, the tension escalates as the international spotlight sharpens on Hitler's controversial ideals. Balancing the weight of his nation's expectations and his own aspirations, Jesse faces a pivotal moment that will test his resilience, determination, and legacy on a global stage.