1936 Olympic Controversies

A detailed Summary of 1936 Olympic Controversies

Imagine, Berlin 1936, the last Olympic torch runner carries the last leg of the run through Olympic Stadium. After lighting the torch Hitler addresses the masses; like a see of arms the crowd gives the Nazi salute while all other countries lower their flags in respect, except for the United States. Hitler smiles grimily in an attempt to hold his "Aryan Supremacy" feelings inside. The Olympics were a perfect arena for the Nazi propaganda machine, which were unsurpassed at staging elaborate public spectacles and rallies. Choreographed pageantry, record-breaking athletic feats, and warm German hospitality made the 1936 Olympic games memorable for athletes and spectators. Behind the facade, however, a ruthless dictatorship persecuted its enemies and rearmed for war to acquire new "living space" for the "Aryan master race." The 1936 Olympics in Berlin were clearly a hidden foreshadow of WWII. Like a dollar bill, over time it becomes tattered and faded, so is the truth behind the 1936 Olympic controversies.

Most today wonder how and why Nazi Germany gained the right to hold the 1936 Olympic games. The decision was made two years before Nazi party candidate Adolf Hitler became chancellor of Germany and destroyed any remains left of

No one can be certain of the whole truth, but one can only examine the facts. The Nazi party was angered by the wins from the twenty-two year old track star, which disproved the "Aryan Supremacy" theory, and that he was also not congratulated for his accomplishments. Owens later confided to friends that he was relieved not having to confront Hitler, directly and except congratulations from one he so detested.

The drive then switched to the exclusion of Jews from German sport and the new "Aryan Society." Jewish athletes banned from German sports clubs, flocked to separate Jewish associations, but these facilities were of no match for those, which the government funded. To deflect International criticism, which they had received, the Reich then setup bogus training courses for Jewish athletes in 1935. Not one athlete from these courses competed in the 1936 games, including Gretel Bergmann a world-class high jumper.

The Baltimore Afro-American and other newspapers spread the story that Hitler refused to shake Jesse Owens's hand or congratulate other Black medallists. In fact, during the very first day of Olympic competition, when Owens did not compete, Olympic protocol officers implored Hitler to receive either all the medal winners or none, and the Fuhrer chose the latter. Hitler was still later accused of congratulating German hammer-throwers under the stadium, but was never further investigated.

"I'm afraid the Nazis have succeeded with their propaganda. First, the Nazis have run the Games on a lavish scale never before experienced, and this has appealed to the athletes. Second, the Nazis have put up a very good front for the general visitors, especially the big businessmen." Foreign correspondent William Shirer wrote in his diary, August 16, 1936. Hitler and his regime effectively hid their plans, for the majority, and fooled the world with their propaganda and schemes of a peaceful German nation. Some say if the 1936 Olympics could have been more effectively boycotted by the rest of the world that Hitler's plans could have been brought to attention and suppressed quicker, and more efficiently. No one will ever know the answer to

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Approximate Word count = 1458
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Sports