The 1936 Olympics was special and unique for a numerous reasons. It was hosted by Berlin, which won the hosting rights in 1931 against Barcelona and other bidders when things weren’t that bad in terms of political state in Germany. The official name of Berlin Summer Olympics 1936 was Games of the XI Olympiad, the history of these game can be traced back to ancient Athens and we will delve into this in another article.
For Adolf Hitler, 1936 Olympics was an opportunity to show the world the interest of German youngesters in sports. Also, when Berlin was awarded the hosting rights, it was democracy (Weimar Republic), by the 1933, the Adolf Hitler has come into power and the nation moved from democracy to fascism.
The marginalization amd persecution of Jewish community was not done in the dark. By the arrival of 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics, almost all of sport groups and organizations operated by Jewish people were disbanded. Yet, Hitler wanted to leave a long lasting impression on the sporting community. He had ordered to build a sporting arena which could be seated by 100,000 people. The name of this arena was Olympiastadion.
This is a bit of background information about the Summer Olympics 1936. Now we move to the pictures of this monumental sporting event:
The 1936 Summer Olympics Poster
Austrian artist Max Würbel designed the well-known 1936 Berlin Olympics poster, featuring an Olympic athlete in the backdrop and the Brandenburg Gate in the forefront.
Jeannette Campbell
The 20 years old Argentine swimmer Jeannette Campbell, she won silver medal in 100 m freestyle. Campbell was the female to represent Argentina in Olympics.
The U. S. Olympians
Jesse Owens and Helen Stephens of United States olympics team. Stephens, 18 at the time, won two gold medals in 100 m and 4 × 100 m relay. On the other hand, Owens won record four gold medals in sprinting and long jump.
Berlin Summer Olympics Arena
The prototype model for 1936 Summer Olympics arena. It was designed by Werner March assisted by his younger brother. The concept was based on Roman Colosseum.
Hideko Maehata
Hideko Maehata the Japanese breaststroke swimmer and gold medal winner doing Ojigi during the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games.
The Four Musketeers
The legendary Indian hockey team members looking out of a train window at Liverpool train station. This is after they won Olympics gold medal at Berlin in 1930.
Youngest Ever Olympics Medal Winner
Marjorie Gestring, the youngest ever olympics gold medal winner. Gestring was a springboard diver who represented United States in 1936 Olympic games. When she won the gold medal, she was only 13 years and 268 days old.
The Olympia Filmmaker
German fimlmmaker Leni Riefenstahl with her camera operator Walter Frenz. It was the first time in history that olympic games were being filmed as a documentary. The film named Olympia was released in 1938.
Adolf Hitler with Gold Medalists
The furher of Nazi Germany Adolf Hitler with Germany’s gold medal winners Tilly Fleischer and silver medal winner Louise Kruger.
1936 Football Finals
The 1936 Summer Olympic games final between Italy and Austria. Italy won the match 2-1.
Olympic Swimmer & Doctor
Dutch swimmer Den Ouden congratulating Hungary’s gold medal winner Ferenc Csik won competed in 100 Metres Freestyle. After his Olympic career, he went on to become doctor and died while aiding a wounded man during World War 2.
The Penatathlon Winner
The German Penatathlon gold medal winner Oblin Handrick who competed in 4000 metres event.
The History Maker
The U.S. track and field athelete Jesse Ownes leaping ovee during high jump. He jumped 8.06 meters to win the gold medal in the event. It was his second gold medal in space of two days.
The Sikh Athelete
A sikh athelete from fixing his turban during the 1936 summer olympics in Berlin.
Indian Hockey Team
Indian hockey team that won the gold medal at the Berlin Summer Olympics in 1936.
The Olympics Scorecard
The scorecard being managed during the swimming event of 1936 games. The details of all participants were changed manually.
The Basketball Section
First time in the history of Olympic games, basketball was included to list of sports played at 1936 Olympics.
Dave Albritton
American athlete Dave Albritton competing in the high jump in 1936 olympic games held at Berlin. He won silver medal in the tournament and went to become House Representative after sporting career.
Smiling German Women’s Team
A smiling German women’s swimming team that won silver medal in 4 × 100 m freestyle relay. From left to right: Schmitz, Halbsguth, Arendt and Lohmar.
Giesela Mauermayer
The Nazi party member and gold medalist in discuss throw Giesela Mauermayer during 1936 Olympic games.
Youths of Olympics
Young girls at a rehearsal for the ‘Olympic Youth’ festival on the opening day in the stadium on the Reichssportfeld: circles form the emblem of the Games of 1936.
Ondina Valla
Italian athelete Ondina Valla after winning the gold medal in 60 m hurdles in 1936 Olympic games. She was the first female athelete to win an olympic gold medal.
The Boxing Match
American boxer Jack Wilson lands a knockout punch Oscar de Larrazabal of the Philippines in the boxing ring during 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics.
The Paparazzi of Olympics
German camera corps bombard a Archie Williams who won the Olympic “400” for the US, was the lion of the hour when this photo was made. A battery of cameras is set on the American athlete. Leni Riefenstahl (German fimlmmaker) is on the ground next to the camera.
The U.S.- German Friendship
US superstar olympian Jesse Owens and German champion Luz Long chat together on the Berlin stadium 01 August 1936 during the Olympic Games where Owens won 4 gold medals, 100m, 200m, 4x100m and long jump. Luz, second of Owens, captured the long jump silver. Owens retained his 100m world record for 20 years.
