A Controversial Choice: The Origins of the 1936 Olympics

The 1936 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XI Olympiad, were held in Berlin, Germany—a decision that remains one of the most debated in Olympic history. Initially awarded in 1931, the choice predated Adolf Hitler’s rise to power in 1933. At the time, Germany was still reeling from the aftermath of World War I and the punitive Treaty of Versailles. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) saw the Games as an opportunity to reintegrate Germany into the global community.

However, the Nazi regime’s ascent dramatically altered the context. Early on, the Nazis dismissed the Olympics as a “Jewish and pacifist spectacle,” even criticizing the participation of Black and white athletes together in previous Games. Yet, Hitler soon recognized the propaganda potential of hosting the event. To appease the IOC, Germany softened its rhetoric, even inviting exiled Jewish athletes to compete—though few returned under such fraught circumstances.

A pivotal moment came in 1934 when the IOC dispatched American member Avery Brundage to assess whether Berlin should retain hosting rights. Despite witnessing Nazi discrimination and militarization, Brundage—a staunch advocate for separating sports and politics—recommended proceeding. The Games were greenlit, setting the stage for a spectacle that would blur the lines between athleticism and ideology.

The Games Begin: Propaganda and Innovation

On August 1, 1936, the Berlin Olympics opened with unprecedented grandeur. Forty-nine nations participated, including the U.S., despite boycott movements. Germany fielded the largest team (406 athletes), while China sent 69 competitors—many of whom had to fundraise through public performances just to attend. Notably, China’s martial arts demonstrations captivated audiences, offering a rare cultural highlight amid the competition.

Hitler’s regime leveraged the Games to showcase Nazi efficiency and Aryan superiority. Several enduring Olympic traditions debuted in Berlin:
– The Torch Relay: A 12-day, 3,187-kilometer journey from Olympia to Berlin, mythologizing Aryan endurance.
– Television Broadcasts: The first-ever live Olympic coverage, albeit limited to local audiences.
– The Olympic Stadium: A colossal 100,000-seat arena, a monument to Nazi ambition.

Yet behind the spectacle, discrimination festered. Jewish athletes were barred from Germany’s team, and Black competitors faced hostility—except in the arena where their victories could not be ignored.

The Athletes Who Defied Nazi Ideology

### Jesse Owens and the Fallacy of Aryan Supremacy
The Games’ defining figure was Jesse Owens, an African American sprinter who shattered Hitler’s racial myths. Owens won four gold medals (100m, 200m, long jump, and 4x100m relay), humiliating the regime. Hitler famously refused to shake his hand, prompting the IOC to demand he greet all winners or none. He chose the latter.

Owens’ triumph was bittersweet. Celebrated abroad, he returned to a segregated U.S., where he was denied endorsements and forced to race horses for survival. His legacy, however, endured: In 1968, his counsel dissuaded Black athletes from boycotting the Mexico City Olympics—though Tommie Smith and John Carlos’ raised fists on the podium kept the fight for equality visible.

### Sohn Kee-chung: A Silent Protest
Another poignant moment came when Korean marathoner Sohn Kee-chung (competing as “Son Kitei” under Japanese rule due to Korea’s colonization) won gold. As Japan’s flag rose, Sohn bowed his head in quiet defiance. Korean newspapers altered photos to erase the flag, leading to arrests. Decades later, Sohn carried the torch at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, a symbolic reclaiming of his victory.

The Games’ Dark Legacy

The Berlin Olympics’ veneer of unity collapsed swiftly. By 1939, Germany invaded Poland, igniting World War II. In 1954, the IOC admitted that hosting the Games in Nazi Germany had been a mistake—ironically under Brundage’s presidency.

Yet amid the darkness, one story epitomized the Olympic spirit’s idealism:
During long jump qualifying, German athlete Luz Long, a blond, blue-eyed Aryan, advised Owens on technique after seeing him struggle. The gesture transcended politics; the two became friends, with Long publicly celebrating Owens’ victory. Long later died in WWII, leaving Owens to reflect: “All my medals couldn’t match the value of his friendship.”

Conclusion: The Unavoidable Intersection

The 1936 Olympics proved that sports cannot exist in a political vacuum. They were a stage for propaganda, resistance, and fleeting humanity. While Hitler sought to glorify the Third Reich, athletes like Owens and Sohn exposed its contradictions. Long’s sportsmanship, meanwhile, offered a glimpse of what the Games could aspire to be.

Eighty-eight years later, the Berlin Olympics remain a cautionary tale—and a testament to how athletes can challenge power, even when the world watches.