In 1930, Jesse Owens (Stephan James) becomes the first in his family to attend Ohio State University. There, he is soon noticed by athletic trainer Larry Snyder (Jason Sudeikis). Jesse is soon noticed as a young African-American talent with enormous potential.

Jesse has ambitions to make it to the Olympics, but he struggles with the biggest issue of his life: racism. The question arises whether the United States will even be able to compete in the 1936 Olympics in Nazi Germany. When American Ambassador Avery Brundage finds a compromise, he personally convinces the Third Reich to avert Owens' boycott.

Meanwhile, Jesse struggles with his own moral dilemma over whether or not to go to the Olympics. He ultimately decides to travel to Berlin, opening the door for him to become the greatest American Olympian of all time...