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The Nazi Olympics
Nazi Minister of Propaganda Joseph Goebbels convinced Hitler that the Olympics were an excellent opportunity to show the world the "new Germany." Hitler pledged full financial support for the event and approved plans for an impressive new sports complex.
This did not deter the Nazis from instituting plans to bar Jews or "non-Aryans" from sports clubs and facilities in the three years leading up to the Olympic games.
March 1933
The city of Cologne bans Jews from city playgrounds and sports facilities.
April 4, 1933
The German Boxing Federation bans Jewish boxers from competitive bouts. All contracts arranged by Jewish fight promoters are to be canceled.
April 25, 1933
The Reich Sports Office orders all German gymnastic organizations to adopt an "Aryans only" policy. The order does not apply to Jewish war veterans or their descendants.
May 24, 1933
The German Gymnastic Society decrees than members of their organization must prove "Aryan" ancestry.
June 2, 1933
The Ministry of Science in the German statge of Prussia orders that village, city, county, and district physical education organizations expel Jewish members.
July 9, 1933
The All-German Chess Convention excludes Jews from its membership.
August 22, 1933
No Jews are allowed to use public swimming pools in Wannsee (Berlin), Fulda, Beuthen, Speyer, and elsewhere.
September/October 1933
"Non-Aryans" cannot work as professional or amateur jockeys.
March 7, 1934
The Reich Youth Leadership announces that German Jewish youth organizations cannot wear uniforms.
June 19, 1935
The Minister of Interior for the German state of Baden prohibits group hikes and similar activities for all non-National Socialist Party youth groups.
Nazi discrimination against Jewish athletes became the central issue in a debate that developed over participation in the Berlin Olympics. The question was mostly argued in the United States, which historically sent one of the largest teams to the Games. In the middle of 1934, American Olympic Committee President Avery Brundage was given a tour of German sports facilities (carefully controlled by German Karl Ritter von Halt of the IOC). Afterwards Brundage stated publicly that Jewish athletes were being treated fairly and that the games should go on as planned.
From February 6 through February 16, 1936, Germany hosted the Winter Olympics at Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the Bavarian Alps. Anti-Jewish signs in the region were removed from public view during the games. Hitler served as a gracious host and gave no political speeches, yet Nazi propaganda defforts to deceive the world were not totally successful. Western journalist observed and reported army troops carrying out exercises at Garmisch.
For the summer games, Minister of Propaganda Joseph Goebbels strictly censored the German press, radio, and film industries. Many orders were given to German journalists about the language to be used when reporting on the games.
July 16, 1936
Gypsies were taken off the streets and imprisoned in Sachsenhausen concentration camp, which was under construction outside of Berlin.
August 1, 1936
Opening ceremonies.
August 2, 1936
Competition begins. American Jesse Owens breaks 5 world records and equals another. (In November 1935, several weeks after the Nazis proclaimed the anti-Jewish "Nuremberg Laws," Owens publicly spoke of withdrawing from the games, but his coach advised him not to take a position.) He becomes the hero of the Olympics and takes home four gold medals. Hitler refused to shake hands or congratulate any African American medalists. For audio tour content, click here:
