In 1931, the International Olympic Committee awarded the 1936 Summer Olympics to Berlin. The choice was meant to signal Germany’s return to the world community after defeat in World War I. Then Hitler & the Nazis rose to power…
Hitler Arriving at the Games
The Olympic ritual of a runner arriving bearing a torch carried by relay from Olympia, Greece, occurred for the first time.
Prominent Display of Nazi symbolism and Swastikas.
Jessie Owens, his performance at the 1936 Olympics consisted of equaling the world record (10.3 seconds) in the 100-meter race and breaking the world records for the 200-meter race (20.7 seconds) and in the broad jump (26 feet 5 3/8 inches). In the 4×100-meter relay, his team set a new world record of 39.8 seconds.
Jessie Owens receiving one of 4 gold medals after outrunning Hitler’s best Aryan runners. Much to the dismay of Hitler, Owens was even cheered on by the German Audience.
Spectators doing Nazi salute
Map of Olympic Grounds