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 …

…could have been brought to attention and suppressed quicker, and more efficiently. No one will ever know the answer to this question, but what is clear is that Hitler had other post Olympic plans on mind. “In 1940 the Olympic Games will take pace in Tokyo. But thereafter they will take place in Germany for all time to come, in this stadium.” Adolf Hitler, in conversation with Albert Speer, general architectural inspector for the Reich, spring 1937.