Connellsville's Olympic Oak Keeps John Woodruff's Legacy Alive

A 90-year-old oak tree in Fayette County serves as a living reminder of the 1936 Olympic champion's inspiring story.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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A 90-year-old oak tree in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, is a living legacy of John Woodruff, the Black Olympic champion who defied Nazi Germany's racist ideology by winning gold in the 800-meter race at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The tree, which Woodruff was gifted as a sapling after his victory, has stood tall for decades as a symbol of his triumph over adversity and his lifelong commitment to serving others.

Why it matters

The Olympic Oak in Connellsville represents an important piece of history, not just for the local community but for the entire nation. It serves as a powerful reminder of the barriers Woodruff and other Black athletes faced, as well as their ability to overcome hatred and discrimination through their athletic excellence and strength of character.

The details

Woodruff, who grew up in poverty in Connellsville, excelled in track and field at the University of Pittsburgh, earning a spot on the 1936 U.S. Olympic team. At the Berlin Games, he won gold in the 800-meter race in dramatic fashion, surging past his competitors after being boxed in. As a reward, Woodruff was presented with a small oak sapling from Germany's Black Forest, which he brought back to Connellsville and planted. Over the past 90 years, that sapling has grown into a majestic oak tree that continues to inspire the community.

  • Woodruff won gold in the 800-meter race at the 1936 Berlin Olympics on August 4.
  • The Olympic Oak tree in Connellsville is now 90 years old.

The players

John Woodruff

An African American track and field athlete who won gold in the 800-meter race at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, defying Nazi Germany's racist ideology. Woodruff went on to serve as a soldier, teacher, coach, and mentor, and the oak tree in his hometown of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, stands as a living legacy of his inspiring story.

Anne Madarasz

Chief historian and director of the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum at the Heinz History Center, who provides historical context about the experiences of Black athletes at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

George Von Benko

Co-founder of the Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame, who is working to ensure that John Woodruff's story and legacy are not forgotten.

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What they’re saying

“Just like with his University of Pittsburgh team, when you travel as an Olympic athlete, the Black athletes cannot stay with the white athletes. The Olympic team, they gather them together in New York, they don't stay in the same hotels as the white athletes, they are kind of sequestered and housed. So, they go on the boat together, they are a team together, but it really is these 18 athletes that provide kind of a bond and a community for each other and support each other throughout the games. And then, they are going to Adolf Hitler's Germany.”

— Anne Madarasz, Chief historian and director of the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum at the Heinz History Center (cbsnews.com)

“What does this tree mean to this community?”

— Chris DeRose, KDKA reporter (cbsnews.com)

“It means a great deal. I have actually seen students gathered near the tree to hear the Woodruff story. And John for many years came back, and he would sit around the tree with students, young people, who he dearly loved and he would talk to them about life and about the way to get ahead, about his story, which in itself is a great story of overcoming things, and that's what that tree means to a lot of people. And the fact that it is still standing majestic in the corner is just unbelievable, isn't it?”

— George Von Benko, Co-founder of the Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The Connellsville community plans to continue honoring John Woodruff's legacy by hosting events and educational programs around the Olympic Oak tree, ensuring that his inspiring story is passed down to future generations.

The takeaway

The Olympic Oak tree in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, stands as a powerful symbol of resilience, triumph, and the ability of sports to transcend barriers of race and discrimination. It serves as a lasting tribute to the life and legacy of John Woodruff, a champion both on and off the track who used his platform to inspire others and make a positive impact on his community.