0% found this document useful (0 votes)
50 views61 pages

The 1936 Berlin Olympics Race Power and Sportswashing (2 Pag)

Uploaded by

mihai
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
50 views61 pages

The 1936 Berlin Olympics Race Power and Sportswashing (2 Pag)

Uploaded by

mihai
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 61

Olympic

Square

t t

BUILDINGS
The Construction of the Reich Sport Field
The creative power of the Olympic concept has, in recent times, made itself evident m the type
of architecture which it has brought forth. It was first under the inspiration of the Olympic Games
that stadia were constructed which would render fitting tribute to this honoured festivity. Formerly,
the sporting grounds were constructed in accordance with the needs of sport activities. The
rest of the construction was based on the practical requirements of the spectators. However, m
1896, when Athens was chosen as the site for the first Olympic Games, M. Averoff, a wealthy Greek
gentleman, provided not only the means for rebuilding the Panathenaean Stadium, but also for the
use for Pentelic marble in its construction. The idea of creating a contest site worthy of the Olympic
Games has not met with consistent progress. The idea, however, has been kept alive, and in 1912
when the Olympic Games were held in Sweden, that country provided a beautiful stadium in Stock­
holm which at the same time expressed the individuality and artistic taste of the Swedish people.
The Olympic Games are a festival of pleasure and optimism. They call together the The Berlin Stadium, which finds its spiritual origin in the Stadium of Athens, was in progress
youth of the entire world. I am convinced that these young people will be the best of construction. In the amphitheatre at the foot of the Ardetto Hill, the German Olympic
exponents of understanding and peaceful cooperation between nations. The spirit of Expedition assembled for the 1906 intermediate Olympic Games decided to further the plans for a
similar construction in Germany. As a result of this plan, the Berlin Stadium in Grunewald was built.
sportsmanship is the spirit of chivalry and respect for achievement. Honourable nations
At first it was planned to use this as the site of the Olympic Games, and immediately after the final
respecting one another mutually are the strongest guarantee of peaceful cooperation.
Dr. Frick 129
o
128

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


imiiffif

arrangements for its construction were made in 1912, Minister von Podbielski, then President of
the German Committee for the Olympic Games, extended the Berlin invitation to the International
Olympic Committee. He proposed that the 1916 Olympic Games be held in Germany.
The carrying out of the idea was difficult at a time when the public had not yet learned to appreciate
the value of such a construction. Public funds were not available for this purpose. In spite of this,
the plan was carried out. The Berlin Racing Association contributed a piece of its land on the north
edge of the Grunewald and advanced the necessary funds. This land had been originally rented
by the Racing Association from the Forestry Department for a race track. The builder of the race
track, Privy Construction Councillor Otto March, was entrusted with the new construction. This
great architect built a site which harmonized beautifully with the surrounding country and scenery.
The arena had to be sunk in order not to obstruct the view of the race track.
Otto March himself did not live to see the completion of the structure, which was dedicated on
July 8, 1913, in the presence of the Kaiser. The structure contained a cycling track 720 yards long,
which surrounded a running track 650 yards long. The swimming pool, 108 yards long, was situated
on the outer side of the cycling track. The stadium had a seating capacity of 32,000. The construction
was in accordance with the sport requirements of that time, and it was hoped that it would attract
visitors fromall parts of the world for the Olympic Games of 1916. The World War destroyed this hope.
After the War, the sport movement grew rapidly. German youth sought in sport activity an outlet
for the energy which had previously been absorbed by army life. It was soon evident that the
stadium was not large enough for an Olympic Festival, either from a technical or capacity stand­
point. It was not even large enough for the daily demands placed upon it or for the activities of
the German Institute for Physical Education, founded in 1920. Consequently, the German Committee
for Physical Training (before the War, the National Committee for the Olympic Games) enlarged
the stadium by the addition of the German Sport Forum. For this purpose the Prussian Government
had given 49 acres of land to the north of the race track. President von Hindenburg laid the
cornerstone with impressive ceremony on October 18th, 1925, on the day of the Battle of the
Nations at Leipzig. A contest was announced in connection with the construction, and the
young architect, Werner March, the son of Otto March, won the prize. His plans had

Werner March, the archi­


tect of the Reich Sport
Field, explains his sketches
to the Chairman of the
Construction Committee,
State Secretary Pfundtner.

130 131

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


best incorporated the idea of an open air lay-out, harmonizing with the surrounding landscape.
He was therefore entrusted with the construction of the Sport Forum. The project of the entire
Reich Sport Field was later based on his plans. He commenced the building of the gymnasium
in 1926, but only half of this was completed. This was followed by the construction of the outdoor
swimming pool and the dormitory for women students at the northwest end of the grounds. The
lawn and the running track were then built. Because of the lack of funds, however, the project had
to be discontinued in 1928. A connecting link between this north section and the stadium was
established by means of a tunnel, running under the cycling track. Consequently, the two sections
could be used for practice and contest purposes. Actually, the training fields and halls were filled
from morning till night. A foreign visitor once called it the "stadium that knows no rest." More
and more the need for larger grounds was felt. This was especially the case since it was planned
to unite here the entire German sport movement and the principal training headquarters for sporting
instructors. In addition to this, it was to serve as a centre for sport physicians.
The first studies of Carl Diem and Werner March for the most extensive enlargements possible
of the German Stadium were begun as far back as 1928. On the occasion of the Olympic
Games in Amsterdam, it became probable for the first time that the 1936 Games would be held
in Germany. In consideration of this probability, the Dutch structures and lay-outs were
studied. Both the good points and the faults of the Amsterdam Stadium were instructive. It was
considered that the new construction requirements could be fulfilled in the old German Stadium.
Departing from former practice, an effort was made to make the field as small as possible. Thus
there would be a direct, close contact between the spectators and the competitors. The inner field

The House of German Sport shortly before its completion.

of the German Stadium proved to be too extensive. The Stadium's capacity of a maximum of 40,000
spectators was too small. If the Grunewald Race Course was to be maintained, it was impossible
to increase the height of the Stadium. The rebuilding plans required the elimination of the 720 yard
cycling track and the 650 yard running track. The field was to be deeper, new rows of seats were to
be built at the bottom of the stands, and the arena was to be laid out in conformity with the inter­
national dimensions including a 433 yard track. Thus its capacity would be increased from 30,000
to 80,000 spectators. The old 65 feet wide tunnel entrance at the south end had already caused
congestion, and would not be sufficiently large for this increased number of spectators. It was
necessary to supplement this entrance by a new eastern tunnel under the riding track and to make
a new entrance to the entire grounds on the city side. Thus a solution was found which preserved
all the advantages of the old stadium: its attractive surroundings and its convenient and quick
Municipal Railway, Underground railway and tramway connections. One of the special beauties of the
old lay-out had been the inclusion of the swimming pool, which had looked out from the whole like
a living eye. In the new plans the effort was made to maintain this union of the swimming stadium
and the athletic stadium.
First the swimming pool was shifted to the interior of the Stadium, where it was to be between
the outer edge of the running track and the stands for the spectators, either on the west or the
east side. Then March decided against this direct union, and placed the swimming stadium outside
the Stadium, at a right angle to its longitudinal axis. It was on the same level as the outside gallery

133

The Reich Sport Field during construction. Lower left: the Cupola Hall of the House of German Sport,
the site of the Olympic fencing tournament. Upper right: the Olympic Stadium.

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


and half as high as the stands of the stadium. Thus the swimming stadium was on a line with the south and also to lease the necessary parking ground outside the Stadium directly from the Prussian Forestry
entrance. While the plans were still in this form, it was decided to build an inner, covered arcade. This Department. The highest government offices for building inspection—the Reich and the Municipal
was a pleasing solution which everyone welcomed. The model was publicly exhibited at the German Construction Department—were to have the final decision in all matters pertaining to the project.
Building Exhibition in July, 1931. The competent sport authorities studied and approved it. The Construction Committee of the Organizing Committee was to keep these departments
The German Committee for Physical Training (DRA) began negotiations to carry out the plans. constantly advised. Werner March was to take over the actual direction of the construction from
1 he Berlin Racing Association changed its former unfavourable attitude. Its agreement was made the official authorities.
dependent only upon compensation for the suspension of horse races. The Ministry of Agriculture However, the City of Berlin made the taking over of the costs and the beginning of construction
agreed to lease the entire grounds to the Racing Association for 40 more years, under the condition dependent upon the following conditions; That the area of the entire Grunewald Race Course,
that the DRA should continue to be the sub-lessee for its stadium. The ground east of the race including the Grunewald Stadium, which had formerly been leased to the Berlin Racing Association,
course was also made available for the approach and the building of the tunnel. should be leased directly to the city for the period of at least 30 years, by its owner, the Prussian
This was the status of the preparations at the beginning of January, when the City of Berlin surprised Forestry Department. Thus the Racing Association would become the sub-lessee of the city. The
everyone by presenting a counter-plan. Municipal Construction Councillor Wagner suggested that a city also required that the Reich, as the legal successor of the German Committee for Physical
temporary, wooden stadium should be erected o n the fair grounds. H e estimated its cost at 2 m i l l i o n Training, should renounce all its rights to the Stadium in favour of the city. Thus a solution was
RM., and pointed out that it would be most favourably situated. It was clear that the city was found which was at least possible.
most anxious for this plan to be accepted. The city authorities stated that they were unable At this stage of the negotiations, the Fiihrer and Reich Chancellor visited the Stadium on October 5th,
to assume the cost of the road construction necessary in connection with the project to build 1933, and the final decision was made.
on what is now the Reich Sport Field. The cost of this road construction was at that time estima­ The decision of the Fiihrer was as follows:
ted at 3 million RM. "The old race course shall be conveyed to the Reich, which will take over all the Olympic constructions in Grune­
Dr. Lewald promptly rejected the plan for a temporary construction. He declared himself willing wald. The Stadium itself is to be enlarged to provide seats for 100,000 persons. A swimming stadium and a riding
to enter into negotiations to determine how the cost of road construction for the plan on the old field shall be built on the Stadium grounds. An assembly field large enough for mass demonstrations shall be provi­
stadium grounds could be reduced. Through negotiations with the Reich Commissioner for the ded in connection with the enlargement of the Stadium. A large open-air theatre shall be erected in the charming
Murellen Valley in the northwest part of the Stadium grounds. The German Sport Forum shall be completed
Creation of Employment, this problem was solved. It was proposed to provide the funds for the
through the enlargement of the gymnasium, the erection of a new indoor swimming pool, a dormitory, and,
construction of the Stadium or the approaches, if the City of Berlin or some other municipal or above all, through the erection of a large administration and instruction building, the House of German Sport."
State organization undertook the construction. The total cost of rebuilding the Stadium, with­
out the street construction, was then estimated at 4.4 million RM. In addition to this, the On the same day, Werner March was commissioned to present sketches for the new project.
Sport Forum was to be enlarged, the construction of the gymnasium finished, a large sporting It was necessary to make new plans for an area of 325 acres. Dr. Diem was called back by a
hall erected, and a student's dormitory built. The cost of this additional work was estimated telegram from his foreign journey in order that he could work out the proposals with the architect.
at 1.3 million RM. This was done very rapidly. The Fiihrer approved the plans in their main outline. The question
At the meeting of the Construction Committee of the Organizing Committee on July 15th, 1933, arose as to whether the connection with the old stadium should be completely given up, and the
presided over by Chairman Diem, the following constructions were decided upon at the suggestion Stadium shifted 162 yards to the east. This would assure the symmetry of the main axis, leading
of Prof. Schulze, Naumburg : from the Schwarzburg Bridge along the great approach street, from east to west. It would also
The extension of the Stadium, with covered stands, swimming pool and special court for the provide sufficient space for the assembly field, adjoining the Stadium on the west. 1 he Fiihrer also
athletes, as well as the extension buildings on the Sport Forum, which were to be as follows : decided in favour of this proposal.
The Reich was now in charge of the whole construction project. The entire direction of the execution
1. Completition of the gymnasium, including a small swimming pool in the basement,
2. A gymnastic and assembly hall with adjoining living quarters and restaurant,
of the tremendous project was in the hands of the Minister of the Interior, who was the competent
3. Two small buildings to serve as dressing rooms on the track field. Minister for the preparations for the Olympic Games and for all German athletics. It was necessary,
first, for the Minister to create the legal prerequisites necessary for the commencement of construc­
According to the estimate of Construction Councillor Reichle, expert adviser to the Minister of
tion. Then, as construction chief, he had to ensure that the new structure should blend harmoniously
Finance, the entire project, aside from the construction of the approaches, could be carried out at
with the architecture of Berlin. He was responsible for the athletic organization, the building of
the cost of 5.7 million RM. The construction committee requested a first instalment of 2 million RM.
the approaches, and the technical equipment. He was furthermore entrusted with the task of welding
for the fiscal year 1933, in order to begin construction on October 1st, 1933.
these parts into a pleasing, artistic and organic whole. His most important responsibility was to
In the meantime, the German Committee for Physical Training had been dissolved, and the deed for
make sure that this tremendous programme was carried out within the short time before the begin­
the Forum was in the hands of the Reich. The Reich had also taken over the negotiations concerning
ning of the Olympic Games. This would require the utmost efforts on the part of all concerned.
the Stadium. The question was raised as to whether the City of Berlin should take over the construc­
tion of the Stadium and receive half the cost of construction in the form of a subsidy from the State Secretary Pfundtner devoted himself untiringly to the negotiations for the acquisition of the
Reich. The city was also to pay for the construction of the approach roads to the Olympic Stadium necessary grounds. Within the surprisingly short period of 11 weeks, he had clarified all legal points

134 135

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


the plans in principle. He expressed a number of important wishes concerning the form of the
structures and the choice of the stone to be used. From this moment the construction could be carried
on at full speed.
Late in the autumn the demolition of the old stadium was begun. At the same time, the construction
of the second part of the gymnasium on the Sport Forum was begun. In order to combat unemploy­
ment, the methods of work chosen were, as far as possible, those which required principally manual
labour. Thus employment was provided for a large number of unskilled workers and those who
had lost their skill in their trades. In this way, it was made possible for over 500 firms and a daily
number of up to 2,600 workers to be kept busy on the construction site for 21/2 years. While the
construction was proceeding, general unemployment decreased constantly, due to the measures of
the National Socialist Government. Therefore it was finally necessary to use construction machines,
and to bridge over the lack of skilled workers, which made itself felt.
In accordance with the wish of the Fuhrer, a large part of the structures was built of natural stone,
rather than of concrete. A total amount of 39,537 cubic yards of natural stone was worked. This mass
would have made a solid pyramid of stone with a base 49 yards square and a height of almost
49 yards. Franconian limestone, basalt from the Eifel Hills, granite from Silesia, the Fichtel Moun­
tains and the Eastern part of Bavaria, travertine fromWurttemberg and Thuringia, tufaceous limestone
from Gônningen in the Swabian Alb, gompholite from Brannenburg in Bavaria, dolomite from
Anrôchte near Soest, porphyry from Saxony, and marble from Silesia and Saxony were used. Seven­
teen thousand two hundred tons of cement and 7,300 tons of sheet iron were used. For the transport
of the natural stones, the cement and the iron, 6,000 fifteen-ton railway cars were required.
The division of the entire Reich Sport Field has proved successful. Today, after the conclusion

The Olympic structures, close to the edge of the city, and the streets leading to the Olympic Stadium.

"The site of the Olympic Stadium is blessed by nature.

connected with the gigantic project of the Reich Sport Field. The Reich bought from the Treasury
Office all the land necessary, for the price of one million RM., that is, one-sixth of the
price originally demanded. The Berlin Racing Association made the sacrifice of giving up
the race track. In accordance with orders of the Fiihrer, the Racing Association received
the following compensation: The two principal organizations in the Racing Association—the
Union Club and the Society for Steeplechasing—were provided with the funds necessary to
enlarge their tracks in Hoppegarten and Karlshorst. Together, these tracks would then replace
the Grunewald track. The greatly increased prosperity of the tracks in Karlshorst and Hoppe­
garten proves that the Berlin Racing Association has not suffered through the loss of the
Grunewald track.
In November, 1933, the Reich Ministry of Finance created a new construction office: the Stadium
Construction Office. The direction of this office was entrusted to Government Construction Coun­
cillor Sponholz. As chief of construction, the Minister of the Interior created, in December, 1933,
a Construction Committee for the Reich Sport Field, headed by State Secretary Pfundtner.
On October 11th, 1934, the programme of construction was submitted to the Fuhrer and Reich
Chancellor for his inspection. On the 31st of October he therefore again visited the grounds, accom­
panied by the Reich Minister of the Interior, Dr. Frick. On this occasion, the Fuhrer approved

136

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


of the Games, we can suggest no changes. Werner March, the architect, correctly stated that the
site is blessed by nature. It is at the most elevated point of the Grunewald, 97.5 feet higher then the
city of Berlin. The dead arm of the Spree forms its northern boundary. This continues along the
west, while the Underground Railway forms the eastern boundary. Thus the grounds are complete
in themselves. They constitute an untouched area with woods and meadows, close to the edge
of the city, offering splendid planning possibilities. In the north, the arrangement was determined
by the existing structures of the Sport Forum. Elsewhere the architect's hands were free. Herr March
wished to preserve the woods on the slopes in the north, east and west, as well as the parklands
of the former Grunewald race track in the south. He secured the services of the landscape architect.
Professor Wiepking-Jûrgensmann, as a collaborator. With great daring. Professor Wiepking-
Jiirgensmann undertook to transplant the existing trees, so that at the time of the Games, the grounds
would seem to be a uniform whole created by nature. With the exception of a few large pine trees,
all the trees now standing on the grounds were planted in the last two years. Even gigantic poplars
over 65 feet high, oak trees 60 to 70 years old, lime and large birch trees were planted in the last days
before the Games. The lime tree avenues north and south of the May Field were not planted until
the spring of 1936. Despite all pessimistic prophecies, this transplanting of fully mature trees during
the summer months proved uniquely successful. Not one died of the approximately 40,000 white
beeches, birches, larch-trees and other extremely delicate trees. During the Games the grounds
presented the beauty of heavily-leaved old trees, various kinds of shrubs and wide flower-lined
avenues. Some portions of the grounds seemed to be ancient parklands. This was especially true
of the Dietrich Eckart Theatre, and of the riding field, which was little used during the Games.
The position of the Reich Sport Field with regard to traffic was very much improved by the construc­
tion of new streets. The grounds are a short distance north of Heerstrasse, the principal street
leading out of the city to the west. One of the two streets which had led to the race track was
sufficiently wide. The other, the present Friedrich-Friesen-Allee, was widened in proportion. In ad­
dition, a new approach from the west was built, which branched off from Heerstrasse at Pichelsberg
Bridge and led directly to the Bell Tower. Traffic was much aided by the paving of Rominter Allee, the
connection with Spandauer Chaussee, and the enlargement of the junction point. The main approach
from the East was created by extending the Schwarzburg Allee, the name of which was changed
to Olympische Strasse. This street crosses the railway tracks over a wide bridge and then leads to
the Olympic Square. No other stadium has such a tremendous frontal square. This approach is a
model of construction planning. The approaching visitor sees the large open square, paved with
white and red flagstones and lined with flagpoles along its entire length. The square slopes upward,
and at the highest point is the stone structure of the Stadium. In the centre are two towers, 156 feet
high. Between them, the five Olympic rings are suspended. Looking toward the west, the Bell
Tower, the symbol of the Reich Sport Field, can be seen between the towers. The two pairs of
towers at the western end of the Stadium, on each side of the field, fulfil the architectural purpose
of emphasizing the longitudinal arrangement of the grounds.
In addition to the broad approach streets, the Municipal Railway and the Underground Railway pro­
vide means of transportation. Their tracks run along the two sides of the Reich Sport Field like a pair
of shears. In preparation for the expected crowds, their stations were enlarged and provided with new
exits, from which the visitors could walk directly to the entrances of the Stadium without coming in
contact with the long distance traffic. At the south side of the Reich Sport Field are parking places,
in a semicircle. These were part of the green belt which surrounded the grounds. During the Games, Hans Pfundtner, Secretary of State in the Reich and Prussian Ministry of the Interior,
these preparations for handling traffic proved adequate and traffic functioned smoothly. Vice-President of the Organizing Committee for the Xlth Olympic Games, 1936, and Chairman of the Construction Committee.

138 139

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


The Olympic Stadium
The main consideration for the arrangement of the different buildings on the Reich Sport Field
was the necessity to ensure free access and egress for the spectators, the guests of honour, the
competitors, for all persons connected with the organization, and for the press.
The Olympic Stadium, as the central feature of the fête, is in the middle of the Reich Sport Field,
and within easy reach of the main approaches from the east and the south, and of the Underground
and Municipal Railway stations. The Olympic Gate, the main entrance to the Olympic Stadium,
with 52 turn-stiles for the paying public, consists of the wide central gateway with one on each
side, and contains in the two wings every possible provision for the reception and the care of the
spectators. This includes one large office for replying to enquiries and giving information, one
office for the exchange of tickets, one medical station for giving first-aid, one police office, a room
for the checking of the tickets sold, accommodation for the control officials and the cleaners, and
three dwellings for the officials of the Stadium administration. Besides the 52 turn-stiles at the
east entrance there are 28 at the south entrance, so that within an hour the 100,000 persons who
can be seated in the Olympic Stadium may buy their tickets and pass through these 80 turn-stiles.
Around the Olympic Stadium a space measuring 86,400 Square yards, that is, twice as large as
that taken up by the stands for the spectators, is left free, its important purpose being to ensure
the distribution of the public emerging at the close of the events so that there shall be no
crush at the exits and at the stations of the various railway systems. By dividing the Olympic
Stadium into an under-ring sunk 45 feet deep in the ground and a ring 54 feet above the
surface of the ground, the entrance and the departure of the spectators can be accomplished in
two distinct halves in half the time that would be required if only the surface arrangement were
available. The division of the spectator traffic is helped further by the 20 gangway stairs to the
upper ring and the 20 passages to the lower ring arranged round the oval at equal distances from
each other. The stream of spectators is still further divided by means of the colonnades within
and outside the arena. In order furthermore to restrict the unnecessary crossing of the streams of
spectators to a minimum there have been placed in these colonnades, for each block of seats, public
conveniences, refreshment rooms, and stands for the sale of programmes. Still another first-aid
station for the spectators and the post office for the public are situated close to the eastern entrance
of the Olympic Stadium, in the most convenient position for visitors on that side. Very great care
was taken to ensure an entirely separate entrance and exit for the guests of honour and the com­
petitors. A subterranean passage to the loges for the guests of honour has been created in the
cellar floor of the Olympic Stadium by utilizing a tunnel, 65 feet wide, constructed for the old
stadium from the main approach on the south under the Reich Sport Field. All the competitors
and the directing officials also pass along this same tunnel underneath the stream of spectators
into the interior of the arena, as the old Stadium tunnel has been brought into connection at surface
level with the Marathon tunnel. The Marathon tunnel is used for the entrance of the Marathon
runners, for large bodies marching into the arena, and for bringing in and taking away apparatus
and implements used in the contests. On special occasions the Fuhrer enters through the tunnel,
as do also the horsemen. The Marathon flight of stairs, connected architecturally with the Marathon
tunnel, serves also for the festival entry through the Marathon Gate of the participants from the
May Field. The Marathon Gate, the Marathon stairway, and the Marathon tunnel thus constitute,
with the two Marathon towers and the Olympic victor panels, the most prominent and the most
architecturally important feature of the Olympic Stadium, and here, consequently, the tripod for
the Olympic fire was placed. The connection of the cellar level of the Olympic Stadium with the

141
140

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


wêêSÊ9M

&> WÊÊÊMm ' ï«I


• ...

m
1S3-
fit //

V, Ve s
•% ^\\\\\NN\^à>\>\^.c r^v.

JLs n ^SS^S
^ VS\ - yH- V\»
. •>
vX v----- --------V^-^'
------ ------gi.i

The announcement board at the eastern end shewing the manner in which the letters are Upper picture; The lower ring is below the outside ground
Arranged in ascending order at the centre of the southern side of the Stadium; The loge of the judges, the loge of the guests of honour, the loge level, the upper ring, above. In the foreground, the Marathon
attached to revoving plates.
of the Fiihrer and the Government, and the press stands. At the very top, the coveredloges for the press and radio representatives. In the centre of the Gate with the tripod for the Olympic fire. Opposite the Gate,
latter, the central office of the Games Administration. the announcement board.

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


old entrance tunnel, with the Marathon tunnel, and with two competitors tunnels leading directh
to the field in which the games are held, is continued in an old tunnel, 13 feet wide and 600 yards
long, in a northerly direction. This tunnel connects subterraneously the Olympic Stadium with
the swimming stadium, passing under the training grounds of the Reich Academy for Physical
Education, with the cloak-rooms of the Sport Forum, so that a complete subterranean cross
connection is provided under the various fields and grounds where the games and contests
are held.
The places reserved for the judges, those reserved for the guests of honour, for the Fuhrer, for
the members of the Government, and the press gallery in the southern section are also connected
by a similar subterranean arrangement. They are disposed one above the other. The places reserved
for the judges adjoin a gallery, seven feet wide, constructed at the depth of a little more than three
feet, which is carried round the oval inner arena, and which enables the judges and their attendants
to move about freely without distracting the attention of the spectators. Next to the judges seats
is the room where winning post photographs are developed and displayed, and the central office
for the control of the loudspeakers. Behind the section for the guests of honour is a large hall
with glass walls and roof in which light refreshments are served. The section of honour reserved
for the Fuhrer and the members of the Government opens at the back into an enclosed structure
containing a roomy hall of honour, some private apartments for the Fuhrer, a dining-room with
a small entrance hall, and the requisite kitchen accommodation.
Above theses rooms connected with the seats of honour is the post office for the press; this is 193
The eastern stands (east entrance) and announcement board.
feet in length, and it contains 46 telephone boxes and 46 writing desks, also a room where com­
munications of all kinds are reproduced in bulk. Above the post office for the press is the covered
section for the press with seats for 1,000 press representatives, including several cabins enclosed
in glass for individual news agencies and publishing houses. In the middle of the press section
are the seats for the central management of the games and contests. The press and the latter
section are supplied with telephones, microphones, and numerous telewriting apparatuses. In the
eastern half of the covered press section are the 20 transmitting cells, with a clear view
of the contests, for the radio. On the ground floor of the western half of the seats for spectators
are 52 cabins for the competitors of the different countries, with showers and other sanitary arrange­
ments; they are all connected by stairways with the tunnel, so that contact with the spectators
is avoided. The 71 steps of the seating accommodation have been arched parabolically in section,
so that a good view of the arena from all seats has been assured. The view is still further improved
by the elliptic ground-plan of the Stadium, which enables a more favourable survey of the course
to be obtained from the sides.
The inner arena of the Olympia Stadium is arranged from east to west. It includes a football field,
115 yards long by 76 yards wide. The turf on 12 inches of good soil is composed as follows: 25 /o
meadow-grass, 25% fescue grass, 20% German pasture grass, 7% cockscomb grass, and 3% white
clover. The running course has 7 separate courses each four feet wide, with a transverse inclination
of 1.5% in the straight, and 3% in the bend. Its composition is as follows;
8.0 cm. 80% coarse slag —20% clay 20-30 mm granulation.
5.5 cm. 70 % fine slag — 30 % clay 12 mm granulation.
2.5 cm. 75% red earth —25% clay 1-10 mm granulation.
2.0 cm. 50 % red earth — 30 % clay 0.3 mm granulation.
The southern stands and loges for guests of honour and the press, 0.5 cm. loam.

10 145

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


Diskus Ausscheidung

Diskus
Manner Frauen

Diskus Entscheidung

Start 4x100-m-Staffel
4 x 400-m-Staftel,

Schiedsrichterraum

Schiedsrichterraum

Lay-out for the shot put, javelin throw, 100 m., 800 m., 1,500 m. races, and 3,000 m. hurdle event. Lay-out for the discus throw and 400 m. relay. The circles reinforced under the turf. The turf repaired through replacement.
The circles reinforced under the turf. The turf repaired through replacement.

Dreisprung
The southern track has been widened to take 8 running lanes for the 100 metre flat race and the
Weitsprung
110 metre hurdle races, and, with the 8 foot space for the start and the 56 feet beyond the finish,
has a total length of 142 yards. The fields for the pole vault the hop-step-and-jump and the broad
jump are arranged in the outer segments of the ellipse on the northern and southern sides. In order
to be prepared for all winds there is another jumping course in a north-south direction inside the
eastern curve. The spaces for throwing the discus and putting the shot are in the eastern curve,
and that for the high jump in the western curve, on account of the prevailing western sun. On the
occasion of the Olympic Games the space for throwing the discus, the shot and the hammer
was arranged in the football field, prepared by a groundwork under the turf, and strengthened
for the days of the contests with a provisional covering similar to that on the running course. While
the western curve is continually incommoded by the traffic through its connection with the Marathon
Gate, the course for the handicape races could be arranged in 3 sections on the outer grass strips
round the eastern curve of the racing course. In connection with this is a water trench 4/2 yards
Hammerwerfen.
Entscheidung square and 30 inches deep. Furthermore, 3 cemented water trenches have been constructed under
the turf of the football field for the equestrian jumping contests; they can be opened up when
needed, and again covered in. The exits of the two competitors' tunnels within the running course
Stabhochsprung
for the equestrian feats are also so constructed that they can be covered in with turf.
The announcement board on the upper edge of the eastern semi-circle is 28 feet high and
Schiedsrichterraum •ffEH-
%o
10* 147
for the hammer throw, broad jump, hop-step-and-jump, pole vault, and high jump. The circles for the hammer throw reinforced
under the turf. The turf repaired through replacement.

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


43 feet wide. It is - provided with 63 spaces in 9 lines placed one above the other, each space
taking four letters or figures 23% inches high, ihe letters are worked on the turn-stile system and
12 can be turned simultaneously by coupling three fields one above the other. The apparatus is
served from three tiers one above the other by 7 men in each. Behind the announcement is the
space where are kept the victor flags, whose masts are fixed on the indicator block.
The arena is lighted at night from 5 searchlight bridges that can be lowered, and that are placed
round the Stadium, and by 3 searchlight groups fixed on the roof of the press stand.
All visible parts of the structure of the Olympic Stadium are of Franconian shell limestone; the
interior skeleton is constructed of reinforced concrete, as are the steps and the ceilings of the buildings.

148

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


The Swimming Stadium
The ground level of the swimming stadium is 13 feet lower than the outer platform of the Olympic
Stadium. This difference in level makes it possible to make a complete separation between the com­
petitors and the spectators, just as is the case in the Olympic Stadium. The spectators enter the
stands on the level of the Stadium platform. The dressing rooms, showers and toilets for the com­
petitors were in the ground floor, 13 feet below. The women's rooms are under the west stands
and the men's rooms under the east stands. Along the south wall, behind the diving tower, is a
loggia for the competitors. The dressing rooms are ventilated from both sides. They are large
rooms, with one place for checking clothes, and no individual cabins. During the Olympic Games,
these rooms were divided by temporary wooden partitions into 25 team cabins for men and 12 team
cabins for women. Each team cabin contained hooks for hanging up clothes, 5 chests, benches,
mirrors, wastepaper baskets and massage benches.
The swimming pool is of the regulation international dimensions of 50 x20 metres (162.5 X 65 feet).
There are 8 lanes, each 2.375 metres (7.72 feet) wide. The depth increases from 2 metres (6.5 feet) at
the north end to 2.30 metres (7.48 feet) at the south end. The area of the diving pool is 20 x20 metres
(65 x 65 feet). Its depth decreases from 4.70 metres (15.28 feet) at the south edge to 4.50 (14.63 feet)
at the north edge. The diving tower is an elegant framework of reinforced concrete, of dazzling
whiteness. It has one 10 metre (32.5 feet) platform, two 5 metre (16.3 feet) platforms, and two

Water is let into the diving pool of the Swimming Stadium for the first time.

Shortly before the Games, the demand for tickets made the construction of supplementary wooden stands necessary.

3 metre (9.75 feet) diving boards. Below the 10 metre platform, at a height of 7.50 metres (24.38 feet),
is a landing.
The swimming stadium is constructed of natural limestone. The inner arcade around the swimming pool
is covered with porcelain tiles. The back walls are of natural stone and are decorated with porcelain tiles.

The water in the pool is heated at a plant located some distance away and is kept at a constant
temperature of 68° F. When no swimming contests are taking place, the swimming stadium is a
public swimming bath. At the north end, which opens out on the lawn of the recreation field there
is a tiled wading pool, 6 inches deep.

151

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


2 3-m-Brelter
10-m-Plattform
1 5-m-Plattform

1 10-m-Plattfortn

5-m-Pianform

i—1—-

E
3-m-BreM

—I

Wasserflacho

Ansicht Sprungturm
Schnitt Sprungturm

ici c/}

1 :
i i

0
Sprungturm

-f-j-

Sprungbecken 20^20 m Schwimmbecken 20^50 m

3_

H
HTÈ ir
Schnitt Sprung- und Schwimmbecken

The diving tower and water polo pool in the Swimming Stadium.

Diving tower: 32.5 ft. platform, 9-75 ft* wide, 16.25 ft- run; 16.25 ft- platform, 18.52 ft. wide, 16.25 ft- run; concrete slabs with cocoa-nut mats.
9.75 ft. diving boards: West board: 15.6 ft. long, 1.63 ft. wide, genuine American Brandsten board, with supports of German construction.
East board : German Brandsten board, with German supports (used most often at the Olympiad).
"Water Polo Field: 58.5 X91 ft., side lines 3.25 ft. from the edge of the pool, 9.1 ft. from the starting end.

152 153

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


mmn

M
nffiif fîl fÏÏJÎ

i ï

.è"Tt7
I

The May Field with the Bell Tower above the speaker's stand. In the foreground the side stands.
Above: The May
Field during the
gymnastic
demonstration of
The May Field
the young people
During the Olympic Games, the polo games, the dressage riding and the gymnastic exhibitions of at the Olympic
Games.
the Berlin schools were held on the May Field. The high stands at the Bell Tower contain standing
room for 44,000 persons and 4,500 seats. In the centre is the elevated platform of the speaker. Along the
top of the stands, to the right and left of the Bell Tower, are eight flagpoles 78 feet high. The Bell
/v
Tower is 247 feet high. It has an observation platform, which can be reached by an electric lift. It
contains also the bell-loft for the Olympic Bell, and a searchlight installation for the illumination The Langemarck
Hall in the stands
of the assembly field. of the May Field;
The Langemarck Hall, in the central portion of the stands, is faced with genuine stone. From this A memorial to the
hall, the visitor has a charming view to the west of the countryside around the Havel. Twelfe massive youths who fell in
the War.
stone pillars carry the flags of 76 regiments, whose names are engraved on steel plaques, high on the
walls. The eastern entrance of the Langemarck Hall leads to the middle platform of the stands and
permits a view of the entire Reich Sport Field. The stands on the two sides each provide standing
room for 14,000 persons. Thus a total of 75,000 spectators can be accommodated. All the steps are
of genuine granite. Their upper surfaces are covered with turf slabs in order to blend with the
landscape. Because of the hard use it received during the Olympic riding contests, the turf of the
May Field was made of sods. When large demonstrations are held, the field can hold 250,000 marchers. IPt
m^m <» m
h
The supporting wall of the stands, which is 61.8 feet high, and the broad entrance steps for spec­ , "i ?s|L^_
"\Y. j •
tators, are constructed of massive stone blocks of gompholite from the Inn Valley. Together with Tt
mm' 4f -• -
the Bell Tower, this monumental wall marks the termination of the Reich Sport Field on the west.
ill I ;

154

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


POLO-FELD

Dressurteld

:
Schiedsrichterplattto

Dressurteld

Obereckplatz

50 100 ISO

Schenkstand Osttribune, 6000 Stehplàtze

The Dietrich Eckart Open-Air Theatre

The seats in the Dietrich Eckart Open-Air Theatre are divided by 2 horizontal aisles into three tiers.
Four broad flights of steps lead down to these aisles. The steps continue down to the orchestra
circle, and therefore can also be used as a means of access to the stage.
The stage rises in several platforms from the front and sides. The semicircle of the stage completes
May Field.
the circular form of the entire structure. The amplification is by means of 40 microphones, distributed
Additional stands were erected for the dressage test on the May Field in 61 hours. This was the shortest time which was possible without destroying the ground.

The erection of 2 stands, each with seats for 2,800 persons, with a total length of 260 ft., width 48,1 ft., height 19.5 ft. over the entire area of the stage, with 10 co-ordinated groups of loudspeakers. The microphones
One stand for 6,000 standing-places, length 325 ft., width: 4i.6 ft., height 16.58 ft. and loudspeakers are operated from the director's compartment under the loge for guests of honour,
Demonstration platforms of boards, 195 X65 ft., with a protective border 65 ft. wide.
which is directly opposite the stage. From this cabin, the groups of searchlights on the two illumi-

156 157

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


Dietrich Eckart Open-Air Theatre.

Bûhnenhaus

Reck Reck

Bùhnenpodest

Freiùbungen

Ringe j
Barren Pferd (seit)
The Dietrich Eckart Open-Air Theatre, harmoniously embedded in a little valley.

During the Olympic Games, the following performances took place in the Dietrich Eckart Open-
Air Theatre: the Olympic Concert, the presentation of Handel's opera, "Herakles," the presentation
of the "Frankenburger Wurfelspiel," a special religious service and the gymnastic contests.
Appropriate installations were erected on the stage for the gymnastic contests. The three tiers of
seats, with their capacity of 20,000 persons, proved adequate. The main stage, which is 32.3 feet
deep and 139.8 feet wide, was covered with a semi-circular tent roof, which was open toward the
spectators. The awning of waterproof canvas was supported by 2 steel poles, 61.8 feet high. This
awning could be raised or lowered, as required, by 2 pulleys. A continuous, perfectly level, firm
plank covering, 1.6 inches thick, was provided for the main stage. This was dismountable in
individual sections. It could be laid in 24 hours and removed in 16 hours. The two horizontal bars
and the 78 foot approach for the long horse vault, could be placed on the plank covered main
stage under the tent covering. The platform in front of the main stage was used for gymnastics
without apparatus. For this purpose it had a plank covering like that on the main stage, with a cork
Mens's Gymnastics—Dietrich Eckart Open-Ait Theatre. linoleum covering .28 inches thick and 26 feet square. Rings, bars, a horse for side jumps, and an
additional horizontal bar were placed around the lower orchestra circle.

nation towers, at either side of the theatre, above the seats for the audience, are also operated. The Two announcement boards, 28.44 X 8.26 feet in size were set up at the elevated stone platforms
actors' dressing rooms are in a hollow to the east of the stage, and are connected with the stage both at the side of the stage. The sheet-iron placards, 8x12 inches were removable. The searchlights
by a tunnel and by an entrance passage above ground. could be used to illuminate the evening performances.

158 159

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


BfT

HocKeyvorspiele

1600 Platze Stehtnbûne 1600 Platze

Slehpiatze 2880

Frauen

Hockey- Stadion-Endspiele

Sitzplatze 4620
Sitzplatze 1752
Stehplatze 6098

Umkleideraume

Stehplatze 2880 °rtt

The Hockey Stadium

The hockey stadium was on the Olympic Square, immediately adjoining the Olympic Stadium. It
normally accommodates 11,000 persons, having standing room for 9,000 persons and 2,000 seats.
Additional temporary stands were erected along its sides for the Olympic Games. These increased
its capacity to 18,000, with standing room for 11,500 persons and 6,500 seats. The hockey stadium,
with its permanent tiers of seats, is 9.15 feet lower than the level of the outside ground. The stone
wall around the field, which is 22 inches high, and the rows for the spectators, are constructed
of greenstone. The rows are provided with a turf covering. The green stone and the turf harmonize
beautifully with the surrounding landscape.
Dark green turf and light green stone. The Hockey Stadium next to the Olympic Stadium.
161
160

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


The actual field is 178.8 x295.7 feet. At the sides it is separated from the stone wall by a distance of
9.75 feet, at the ends by 16.25 feet. The necessary rooms for the tournament management, for the
post and the radio, 4 dressing rooms for the competitors, and a refreshment booth for the spectators
were built under the temporary stands. To the north of the hockey stadium is an expansive grass-
covered field, with 6 playing fields. After the Olympic Games, these were used as training fields by
the Reich Academy and the sporting associations. During the Olympic Games, a second hockey
field was laid out there for the preliminaries. This had at the sides two stands, each with standing
room for 1,600 spectators.

The Tennis Courts and Tennis Stadium

The tennis stadium and the 12 tennis courts at the eastern edge of the Reich Sport Field were the
scenes of the basketball games and épée fencing. The surface of courts 1 to 4 was made harder through
the addition of loam. On each court, the 45.5 X 84.5 feet playing field was planked off. Two metres
back from these planks was a wooden railing, 3.6 feet high. The wooden stands for spectators
along the sides consisted of one row of 112 seats for the press and guests of honour, and standing
room for 720 persons on each side. On the west side was a separate platform for the judges. Opposite
this, on the east stand, was the announcement board. In case of rain, the playing fields were
covered with canvas.
On each of the south tennis courts, 2 or 4 fencing floors were erected for épée fencing. They were
provided with the same type of stands as the basketball courts, and in addition wooden railings,
floodlights and illuminated announcement boards for the evening contests. The fencing floors
consisted of a wooden substructure, 17.60 metres (57.2 feet) long and 2.40 metres (7.8 feet) wide,
of one inch planking, and a copper gauze matting 52 feet long and 6.5 feet wide for the electrical
recording of hits. At the ends were pulleys for the wires, which were rolled up automatically and
The tennis stadium is prepared for the basketball matches.
connected to the fencers. At each side stood a table for the electrical recording apparatus.

The Gymnasium and Cupola Hall

For the Olympic Games, the interior of the buildings of the Sport Forum were made ready for the
foils the sabre fencing competitions. Four fencing floors and temporary stands for 500 spectators
were erected in the large gymnasium. In the Cupola Hall, 4 fencing floors were also constructed. The
circular rows of seats in the Cupola Hall could accommodate 1,200 spectators. In each hall, 4 announce­
ment boards 8x9.75 feet, were erected on a platform. The men operating the score board stood
in front of them.
At the beginning of the Olympic Games, the International Congress of Physical Education Students
met in the attractive Cupola Hall. On this occasion the many possibilities for using the Hall for
demonstrations and indoor sport contests proved to be of great value.

The extensive connecting network of streets and paths was given careful consideration by the
architect in his plans. The street network, with its abundant statues and flowers, resulted in a close
unity of the contest sites and the surrounding landscape. This was not only true from the consideration
of traffic, but also from the artistic standpoint. The grouping of all contest sites together, and their
harmonious union, created a veritable festive array, which brought to life the spirit of the Olympic
Games for all participants.

162 ii* 163

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


The Griinau Regatta Course.
At the finishing line in Griinau: On the right, the stands. In the centre, the new house, the terrace on which was the Fûhrer's loge during
the Games. Size of the regatta grounds: approximately 5.68 acres. Constructor: Herbert Ruhl, Architect, Kaiser-Allee, Berlin W. Owner:
Berlin Regatta Association, Berlin-Gmnau. Permanent stands: 3,000 persons. Standing room for 10,000 persons. Temporary stands for the
Olympic contests: Floating stands for 6,000 persons. Regatta course: A straight stretch of 6,500 ft., with no current, for six boats. 270 boat
stands in three boat houses.

Zuschauer

Schnitt: Zuschauertribune

Sitzplatztribun 504 Zuschauerplatze


Fechtbah

I Schiedsrichter

• Publikum,
Fechtbahn

Teilnehmerplâtze

I Schiedsrichter

Fechtbaht Fechtbahn 2

Fechtbahn

Anzeigetafel
Anzeigetafel Fechtbahn
Fechtbahn 3

Fechtbah

Anzeigetafelr
Anzeigetafelt

164 Gymnasium—Fencing.

The Cupola Hall — Fencing Floors.

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


Everjthing that has been provided here is for jour comfort and convenience, and the regulations have been considered and drawn
up in jour interest so that jou may be assured undisturbed enjoyment of your new home.
Over this Village waves the Olympic flag and the national banner of jour native land. Each morning the chimes play the Olympic
Hjmn.
May the Olympic spirit and Olympic peace reign here from the first to the last daj.
Help us to ensure and preserve this peace.
The German Army erected this Village for the Olympic guests. It performed its task gladly in the interest of spot t and
because it reveres the Olympic ideals. Thus the German Army as well as the German people extends to jou, its guests, a heartj
welcome.
"This Europe of ours is The Reich War Minister, The President of the Organising Committee for the Eleventh Olympic Games,
too small for a war, but
Field Marshal von Blomberg
it is large enough to
Dr. Th. Lewald
contain a field of combat
upon which the youth of It was in the spirit expressed in this greeting that the Olympic Village was erected, the spirit of
the world will win a
that hospitality which inspired Germany to do everything possible to render the sojourn of her
decisive battle for the
cause of peace. To coop­ guests, especially the Olympic competitors, as enjoyable as possible.
erate in the solution of We are happy in the knowledge that our guests felt themselves at home in the Olympic Village
this task is the sincere surrounded by their comrades and the best sportsmen of the world and that in addition to the memories
and sacred wish of the of the heated competition they also retained many friendly recollections of the Olympic Home.
entire German nation." For us as hosts it was a gratifying proof that our efforts in securing the comfort of the Olympic
The athletes were rewarded when a Norwegian newspaper, one of the countless foreign periodicals
Reich War Minister, which published enthusiastic accounts of the Games, printed the following comment of a team leader;
Field Marshal "It is so lovely here that we dread the return of everyday life. ^7e are living in the midst of paradise.
von Blomberg

i: i

THE OLYMPIC HOME


The Olympic Village
The Olympic participants, who during the period of their Berlin sojourn found a second home
at the Olympic Village, were greeted upon arriving at the houses assigned to them with the
following attractively designed and printed message of welcome:
Welcome to the Olympic Village!

This is jour home during the weeks to come. Here you will dwell together with jour friends andfellow participants, a communitj
;
of comrades serving the same ideal, who are overjoyed to greet jou, live with jou and pass pleasant hours in jour company.
Field Marshal von Blomberg returns the "Prosit" of one of the workers at the traditional "Richtfest" in the Olympic Village.
Left: Dr. Lewald, Prof. March, Reich Minister Frick; right; Secretary of State Pfundtner.
166

«TTumw

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


obvious and undeniable. The decisive factor which had induced the Americans to erect the Olympic
Village near Los Angeles was the lack of adequate hotel accommodations, and this did not apply
to Berlin, which possessed sufficient hotels for lodging the foreign participants, regardless of their
number. For those nations which could not afford the expense of hotel rooms for their athletes,
an attempt was made to secure cheaper quarters, and on March 28th, 1933 the Reich Minister of
Defence was requested to place part or all of the Dôberitz military barracks at the disposal of the
Organizing Committee for this purpose. The Reich Minister generously gave his consent so that
Germany was able to report at the Vienna meeting of the International Olympic Committee in
June, 1933 that the Dôberitz barracks could be provided as common quarters for the athletes, but
"Never before were the also mentioned the fact that Berlin possessed adequate hotel accommodations.
Olympic athletes more The Dôberitz barracks were inspected in June, 1933, and it developed that the officers barracks
comfortably and ade­ alone contained 280 rooms. Each house was provided with its own shower room, and the ordinary
quately accommodated." barracks were so arranged that they could be partitioned off into double rooms. The question of
A house in the Olympic
lodgings was thus solved for the time being, and it was decided to leave the decision to the nations
Village of Los Angeles.
whether they wished to take advantage of these more economical lodgings.
It was obvious, however, from the comments heard in Vienna that the majority of nations preferred
an Olympic Village, and thus the efforts of the Chief of the War Department, General von Reichenau,
who at the request of the Minister of Defence had investigated this question, were especially welcome.
General von Reichenau belongs to that group of officers who have been instrumental in introducing
The Significance and History of the Olympic Village sport into the Army. Even as a young officer he had engaged actively in sporting competitions such
as athletics, boxing, football, tennis and the modern pentathlon, and thus he was appointed as the
An attempt was first made at the Olympic Intermediate Games of Athens in 1906 to provide common
representative of the Army on the permanent committee which journeyed to America under the
quarters for the participants, dwellings being prepared in Zappion. In 1912 at the Stockholm Games
leadership of the Secretary-General, Dr. Diem, to gain information which might be useful in
the American team lived on the ship which brought them across the Atlantic, the same practice
organizing the Olympic Games of 1916. Having thus been closely connected with the Olympic
being followed in 1928. Quarters were provided in various hotels at the Games of 1920 in Antwerp,
project for many years, he possessed a thorough understanding of the wishes and needs of sportsmen.
while a new attempt to erect an Olympic Village in the form of wooden barracks was made at Paris
He proposed to the Minister of Defence that the plan to utilize the Dôberitz barracks should be
in 1924, but it was not until the Tenth Olympic Games at Los Angeles that the plan of providing
discarded and a special Olympic Village erected on some part of the Dôberitz training grounds.
special lodging accommodations in keeping with the requirements of the Olympic participants was
He himself selected the site—to the north of the Hamburg highway—and following a general
realized. As late as 1930 at the Olympic Congress in Berlin individual voices were raised in opposi­
tour of inspection on November 7th, 1933, his choice was approved. A bulletin issued following
tion to the idea of lodging the participating athletes in an Olympic community, but the majority
this tour and meeting contains the following comment; "The site selected met with full approval.
of the nations including Germany having expressed their approval, the American organizers carried
It is extremely attractive from the standpoint of location and typifies the German landscape.
out their plan to completion and thus revived a practice of the ancient Olympic Games on which
The plans for laying out the Village and erecting the houses, which were drawn up by the March
occasion the athletes assembled in a sacred community at the scene of competition several weeks
brothers, were also accepted. For the first time in the history of the Olympic Games the Army of
before the beginning of the Games and indulged in strenuous work of preparation.
The Olympic Village of Los Angeles on Baldwin Hill represented a great success for the American
Organizing Committee. In comparison with the hotel rates, the cost of lodging in the lightly con­
structed houses was extremely low, being only 2 dollars per person per day, and never before were
the Olympic athletes from throughout the world more comfortably and adequately accommodated General von Reichenau
(right),one of the "fathers
than in this Olympic Village. The German team also lived on Baldwin Hill, and carefully studied
of the Olympic Village
the organization and administration of the Village in the hope of being able to provide the sporting
in Dôberitz," is even
youth of the world which would assemble for the Eleventh Olympic Games in Berlin with facilities today an active sports­
and lodgings as magnificent as those of the Americans. The question of accommodations is always man. He is seen parti­
one of the most important and vital of the many which an Organizing Committee is called upon cipating in the relay run

to solve, and for this reason the German Organizing Committee gave this problem its undivided from Potsdam to Berlin.

attention at an early date. It is true that in the beginning the possibility of erecting a special Olympic
Village was scarcely considered in spite of the fact that the advantages of such an institution were fe.

; , , ; ..

168
. -, •

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


ri I

C3 I
4

t •

BBLGIE
• WV.Vlf>CK'^
SP

^ MfelT ^>/tv:<^ Bird's eye view of


the Olympic Vil­
^OLBW
lage during con­
struction.

M^r

£ t? w

l 'i •'
tS""'^ v

Vir ;
>a^>'V-J -:
^ rJ9* J

^ g—r:., irw^ï-î/Sr #
.5. .^^FANGSG^UDE

O 20 40 bo to loo lOo 140 160 Vo 2oo Mo aio Mo JSo See


vf-^

Plan indicating the distribution of the nations in the Olympic Village.

Model of the Village. Lower right, the Entrance Building; left centre, the Household Building.

•• :, : , .•• - . v /

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


a nation cooperated generously and gladly in a task designed to further the cause of understanding
and peace between the nations. The carefully preserved atmosphere of peace about the Village
should induce the young participants to seek out each other's company for an exchange of opinions
and thus support the true aim of the Olympic Games. In this manner the Olympic Village would
far exceed its mere practical and technical purpose and would become a valuable means of preserving
and advancing the Olympic spirit.
The Organizing Committee provided the Ministry of Defence with a memorandum on April 26th,
1934 outlining its wishes concerning the planning and erection of an Olympic Village, these being
based to a large degree on the experience gained at Los Angeles. Upon the basis of this memorandum
the Reich Minister of Defence entrusted the architect of the Reich Sport Field, Professor Werner March,
with the planning of the Village, which would have to be ready for occupancy within a period of
less than two years.

Planning and Construction

The scenic beauty of this section of Brandenburg landscape in its virginal state and a long list of
recommendations by the Organizing Committee, which were itemized in a memorandum, "Construc­
tion and Organizing Plan," were the chief factors which the architects had to consider in planning
their work. This gigantic task could be accomplished only through the mutual cooperation of many
persons. Professor Werner March drew up the total plan of the project and was in direct charge,
although the services of a group of experts were enlisted for carrying out the various phases.
The architect. Dr. Georg Steinmetz, who died shortly before the Village was completed, designed
the dwelling houses, the main household building, the Hindenburg House, the headquarters of the
Commandant and the "Bastion," while the brother of Professor March, Walter March, planned
the reception building, swimming hall, gymnasium, "Sauna," and the bridge across the Waldsee.
The landscaping of the entire Village was directed by the landscape architect. Professor Wiepking-
Jiirgensmann. Ministerial Councillor Schulz was entrusted by the Military Administration Head­ Midday concert before the dining rooms of the Olympic teams in the Household Building.
quarters with the selection and distribution of the equipment for the various houses and offices,
while Ministerial Councillor Maschke and Government Construction Councillor Klaje were ap­
pointed by the military headquarters in an advisory capacity. In technical questions pertaining to of these buildings in the spring of 1936, and under the direction of Major Muhlenbrink they were
organization and sport the architects enjoyed the advice of the Organizing Committee. The equipping fully equipped within a short time. This section was also landscaped so as to harmonize with the
of the main household building was supervised by Captain Piitz and Herr Rost of the North German rest of the Village.
Lloyd Steamship Company, which had been commissioned to cater for the Village inhabitants. Constructed in curved rows conforming with the natural contours of the landscape, the houses
The situation of the main reception building at the Olympic Village was determined by the Hamburg of the Village with their cream-coloured, whitewashed walls and bright red tiled roofs presented
highway, which descends sharply to the wooded valley in which the Village is located. Its immediate an extremely attractive picture against the green background of the primaeval forest. The lower
ascent on the opposite side of the depression made it possible for a tunnel to be constructed so that section beginning at the entrance to the Village in the valley gradually ascended to the upper section,
traffic proceeding from the parking grounds in the direction of the Reich Sport Field and Berlin which extended in an elevation to the north-west. Although the sides of the old water course were
would not be compelled to cross the highway. The original landscape of the Olympic Village with lowered seven metres, this dividing valley gave the impression of being the natural continuation
its elevations, pine, oak and birch trees, the picturesque valley of an old water course and the meadow­ of the landscape. It was only through this solution that unity from the point of view of landscape
like open fields provided the most favourable conditions imaginable for its planning, and the wooded and a close connection between the upper and lower sections of the Village could be achieved.
hills surrounding the small valley offered natural confines. The large structures of the administrative and technical headquarters, the curved reception building
The northern section with accommodation for an additional 1,100 in its one-storey houses could at the Village entrance, the main household building with the dining-rooms for various nations,
be combined with the Village, which provided lodgings for 3,500 participants in 140 dwellings, which with its terraces dominates the elevation to the north-west, and the Hindenburg House
without destroying the harmony of the whole. The unexpectedly large number of athletes made it formed natural limits to the perspective and emphasized the landscape of the Olympic Village. Ihe
necessary to utilize these buildings, which had been completed as barracks for an air defence centre of the gradually ascending Village terrain, where a small elevation rises in the midst of the
detachment. The Reich Air Minister, General Goring, granted the Organizing Committee the use plain, was the ideal spot for the "Bastion." From here, one enjoyed a magnificent view of the idyllic

172 173

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


Waldsee and "Sauna," the Finnish vapour bath erected in the form of a blockhouse. On the basis
of experience gained at former Olympic Games, the "Sauna" was constructed according to the
plans of the Finnish architect, Brygman, in a particularly attractive locality from a scenic point of
view. The second large expanse, the athletic field, was enclosed by the swimming hall to the south
and the gymnasium to the north. The primaeval forest to the north-west, known as the "Enchanted
Forest," was left undisturbed, special bird houses, baths and feeding troughs being distributed
throughout the woods. The district was also populated with squirrels, who thoroughly enjoyed
the "Village of Peace." Numerous rabbits scampered across the grassy plots, pigeons cooed under
the roof of the "Sauna," white and black storks strutted proudly along the shore of the lake while
ducks and swans rested ligthly upon its waters. The total effect was one of bountiful nature and deep
peace. During the summer of 1935 and spring of 1936 every possible breeding place for mosquitoes
in the Village and its vicinity was eradicated, and as an added precaution the windows of the dwelling
houses were provided with special netting.
The main entrance for the inhabitants of the Village was at the central passageway through the
reception building. This entrance was especially emphasized by an elaborate gateway over which
was inscribed the motto of the Village : "To the Youth of the World." The other entrances, including
one for deliveries to the restaurants in the reception building, one for trunks and packages destined
for the inhabitants, one to the athletic field and the private entrance to the household building were
all connected by a circular roadway and were utilized as assembling depots for the omnibuses used
for conveying the athletes. Special exits in each direction were also provided, these having proved
to be especially valuable on the occasion of conveying the Village inhabitants to the opening cere­
mony. The streets of the Village, extending a total length of 4 miles, were provided with a firm
foundation and a light asphalt paving, dust being thus limited to a minimum.
The dwelling houses contained 8 to 12 double bedrooms for the athletes with a room for each
of the house stewards at the entrance, a telephone booth, bath and shower room, toilets, and
a common room opening into the central hallway. In furnishing the rooms, emphasis was

The blockhouse at the edge of the Village pond containing the Finnish vapour bath, the "Sauna."

placed upon comfort, simplicity and cleanliness, the furniture consisting of two beds with especially
selected mattresses, two stools, a table, chair and a large wardrobe at each side of the door. Two
table lamps, a waste-paper basket, attractive curtains and a handwoven rug gave a cozy and
comfortable air to the rooms. Special care was given to the furnishing and decorating of the common
rooms, since these were the lounging centres of the inhabitants in each house. Provided with low
windows and facing the terrace and landscape beyond, the common rooms formed the core of the
houses. Tn order that the most attractive view might be obtained in each case, the common rooms
were placed either at the front or side of the houses, depending upon location. Special precautions
were taken in laying out and constructing the buildings so as to preserve the landscape.
In order to give the Village life and variety it was divided into different sections to correspond
to the German provinces. Each house was named after a German city and the decoration motifs
% Z were determined in this manner, the common rooms containing attractive paintings revealing the
cultural and economic life of the town which had given its name to that particular dwelling. Through

The Olympic Attachés visit the Village. Frescoes in the house, <tBayfeuth.':

175

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


fir .if
mm' ***»' m
m

f «
fir

f f
"

11

J
The inner ring of the Household Building with the windows of the 40 kitchens of the different nations. The lounging centre of each house—the common room. A corner of a double bedroom.

an extensive cooperative project, 300 wail paintings and 140 house emblems were created. In response was located the Olympic Village restaurant, which was also open to visitors. A terrace in front of
the dining-room and facing the east afforded an excellent view of the expansive landscape and
to the suggestion of the architect, the Reich Minister of Education entrusted the German schools
of fine arts in Berlin, Kônigsberg, Kassel, Dusseldorf, Dresden, Munich, Stuttgart, Karlsruhe and constant traffic along the street of approach. The reception building, like the dwelling houses, was one
storey in height except for the administration office over the main entrance and the living quarters for
Frankfort with the decoration of these houses, an extraordinarily successful endeavour which was
the superintendent above the household wing. The main gateway was crowned by a clock tower
of great benefit to the students and at the same time gave a harmonious and individualistic tone
to the Village. Under the direction of a number of instructors, the students began their task, the and set of chimes, which played the principal motif of the Olympic Hymn each hour.
The reception building was balanced by the main household building with dining-rooms for each
municipal administrations in many cases also following this example by awarding similar contracts
for local work. For the first time it was possible for a large group of young artists in Germany competing nation, this being situated at the top of the upper Village section. It was also in quadrant
form and three storeys in height, these descending to the rear in order to harmonize with the terrace.
to work on a contemporary project, and through actual comparisons between the different schools
This building was a utility construction, its ground plan being conditioned by the requirements
and their teachers to acquire widely varied knowledge and experience. In the course of eight weeks
drawn up by the Organizing Committee and North German Lloyd Company as the quarters respon­
this diligent community of young artists, who were the guests of the German Army, completed
an attractive scheme of adornment. sible for the accommodation of the participants. The 40 dining-rooms of the nations were located
on the outer ring facing the terraces, while the 40 kitchens regulated in size to correspond to the
The reception building was constructed in quadrant form facing the main street of approach from
dining-rooms faced the inner ring. The cellar contained storage space and refrigeration rooms
Berlin, the central passageway, which also constituted the principal entrance for the Village in­
as well as washing and dressing rooms for the employees. Two large dining-rooms and kitchens
habitants, dividing the building into two wings, of which the western half was used for offices
of various kinds including the headquarters of the sporting, training and transportation departments. each capable of accommodating 150 participants were located on the ground floor for the nations
Adjoining this was the post office, bank, receiving office for laundry and the repairing and cleaning which had sent large teams, while two upper storeys provided the necessary space for the smaller
teams. The attractiveness of this building lay in its practical form and its terrace-like construc­
headquarters. The post office also contained an entrance for visitors who were not permitted to
tion, the reinforced concrete frame permitting the walls to be broken by ample window space.
enter the "Womanless Village." Included in this wing was the luggage room with the customs
The visible parts of the framework were covered with limestone which had been polished so as to
office and the bureau of the Olympic forwarding agent. The central telephone exchange was also
impart a soft, light tone. The eastern ring of the dining-rooms, terraces and kitchens was enclosed by
located here as well as an office for the press and five shops for general articles, these having their
a two-storey western ring containing offices and personnel rooms, a telephone office, storage rooms
entrances outside the Village. The eastern wing contained in addition to the headquarters of the
for the gardening equipment and the fire department of the Olympic Village. For reasons of con­
Commandant and the administration office, the "Hall of the Nations" with office space for the
venience the delivery depot and storage space were located in the court between the two buildings
Attachés of the various countries. This hall, which was open to visitors, was equipped in the manner
on the same level as the cellar. Two special connecting streets led into this court so that provisions
of a hotel with an information desk and incoming letter files. Adjoining the Hall of the Nations

176 12 177

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


of the International Sporting Federations and the official weighing room were located on the ground
floor. The representative part of this building lay on the upper floors, a festively designed entrance
hall with a statue of the late Field Marshal in front of a relief depicting advancing soldiers, created
by the sculptor, von Ruckteschell, leading to the. principal lecture room, the ceiling of which was
formed by the light coloured, reinforced concrete roof of the building. This room was the scene
of an entertainment each evening during the Games, all of the athletes being invited. At the
eastern side, somewhat apart from the Village, was located the house of the Commandant, a sym­
metrical, two-storeyed structure in the midst of a garden with its principal room facing the open
country to the west. The auxiliary structures, including the "Sauna" on the Waldsee, the bridge
at the southern end of the Village and the "Bastion" opposite, were situated at some distance from
the rows of dwelling houses and designed so as to harmonize with the surrounding landscape.
Constructed of wood with straw roofs, they presented a picturesque appearance.
The question of landscaping was given serious consideration in the planning of the Village, and
in order to give the entire project an internal unity it was necessary to excavate no less than 156,000
cubic yards of soil. Houses and streets were at times lowered or elevated as much as two yards
in order that the Village as a whole might present a clear, well-ordered picture and harmonize with
the natural surroundings. In this connection, thousands of old and young trees, including venerable
First signs of life in the Olympic Village, Japanese athletes, the first arrivals, engage in morning calisthenics. giants 160 years old, were transplanted with their roots intact. In cleaning out the Waldsee a con­
siderable amount of rich turf was removed, this being used to improve the lawns, and in reinforcing
the clay banks of the shores the original tree line was followed so that the landscape was restored
could be delivered directly. Opposite the entrance to the court and between the connecting streets
stood the heating plant. in all of its natural beauty.
The turf was removed from the characteristic birch ring at the point where the upper and lower
The swimming hall at the athletic field contained an 82 x40 foot pool lined with light green,
levels met and the resulting depression at the foot of the "Bastion" was lined with green stone steps.
glazed tiling, dressing and shower rooms, massage rooms and a Finnish vapour bath in the
It was at this connecting point between the upper and lower Villages that the daily concerts took
upper storey, which was constructed according to the experience gained through the utilization
of the Finnish "Sauna" at the Waldsee. A door opened from here directly to the 10 feet place.
high diving board above the swimming pool so that following the vapour bath the athlete could
conform with the prescribed regulations by springing immediately into the cold water of a swimming Evening entertainment in the main auditorium of the Hindenburg House.

pool. Hairdressing rooms were also included in the swimming hall as well as in the basement of the
main household building and in Hindenburg House. The light tiled walls of the swimming hall, its
slightly curved ceiling and the long windows which extended to the floor and could be raised elec­
trically established its close harmony with the surrounding landscape and gave it a light, joyous
tone. The gymnasium lying opposite to the swimming hall was designed in a similar manner, its steel
construction rendering possible the opening of the entire southern wall facing the athletic field
by means of large windows. Through its timbered ceiling, tiled walls, steel skeleton and lightly
coloured glass windows the gymnasium presented an effective study in contrasts of material and
colour. Its equipment included apparatuses for gymnastics and every other indoor exercise as well as
a boxing ring. Another building of the same size in the northern section of the Village established
a close air of unity.
Between the swimming hall and gymnasium was located the athletic field with its 433 foot running
track laid out in compliance with the international requirements. In its sporting facilities this field
resembled even to the smallest details the running and jumping tracks of the Olympic Stadium
and other training fields.
The fourth large structure in the Olympic Village, the community house, was named in honour
of the late Reich President von Hindenburg. Its rooms were placed at the disposal of the Olympic
participants for training purposes. The quarters of the military construction department, the offices

178

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


In addition to the artistic requirements which had to be constantly borne in mind by the architects carried out by workers of the Division under the supervision of an officer, additional labourers
in planning the Olympic Village there were also technical problems of considerable proportions being hired when necessary.
which remained to be solved. The excavated soil was dumped into a depression opposite the reception The stretches of land before and behind the barracks had to be improved and landscaped. At
building to form parking ground for 500 cars. In addition to the extensive network of permanent one side of the street of approach from the Hamburg Highway a plot about 3.7 acres in
streets, water, drainage and heating pipes as well as electrical cables had to be laid betwéen the size, which had formerly been the scene of a purifying plant, had to be levelled, fenced in, provided
various houses and the ground again landscaped. with water mains and planted with lupine. Two wide strips of lawn were laid out on each side,
Three heating plants were installed as well as a water system including three sources; the and an attractive plot with flowers, shrubbery and trees was created along the Hamburg Highway.
main network, an elevated tank and a Village pumping plant with an underground tank. A To the rear of the barracks a large athletic field designed according to regulations was installed.
drainage system with a natural fall and a clarifying plant to the west of the Village, two transformer These and many other tasks had to be carried out while the soldiers were still living in the barracks.
houses and two telephone central exchanges were also constructed. In addition to these projects Although the exterior work was complete when the troops evacuated the barracks on June 16th,
an extensive technical programme had to be carried out in connection with the purely architectural the work of renovating the rooms, which had been in constant use for more than a year, had yet
tasks. to begin.
Situation and Climate Since the arrival of the first participants was postponed 10 days, thus falling on July 10th instead
A decisive factor in determining the practical utility of the Olympic Village was its location. Although of July 1st, it was possible to complete the task of preparing the barracks through continuous
this particular spot in the Brandenburg landscape seemed ideal for an attractive small village, it work day and night. The Japanese team expressed the wish to have a Japanese bath-house erected,
was also selected because of its proximity to the Berlin-Hamburg highway, which, leading from the and within 20 days this desire could be granted through the construction of a small wooden house
centre of the city as the Olympic "Via triumphalis" to the Reich Sport Field and beyond it past in the midst of the pine trees. Both in style and equipment it met with the hearty approval of the
the Village, provided an ideal means of direct communication. The favourable climate of Berlin leaders of the Japanese team.
was also ideal for the presentation of the Games as well as for life in the Village since the average Through special exertions it was also possible to complete a seventh ordnance building, which,
temperature during the month of August is 63° F., the total rainfall 2.13 inches and the humidity 70%. although it had originally been planned for autumn, was ready for use by the time the first athletes
The location of the Village to the west of Berlin was also an important factor since the predominating
west wind guaranteed pure, fresh air, the industries of the city being located principally in the
northern and eastern sections. Climatic investigations carried out by the Reich Weather Bureau
led to the conclusion that this district possessed many advantages from the point of view of its
utilization for an Olympic Village. The location of the dwelling houses at the edge of or in the
woods protected them from the damp morning dews which arise from the low-lying meadow
lands, and in the case of windy or inclement weather the protection of the trees was decidedly no­
ticeable.
The houses of the Village were erected upon a plot of land comprising 136 acres, although only
10% of this was built upon, the remaining portion retaining its natural character. While construc­
tion was in progress, representatives of the National Olympic Committees visited the Village and
voiced their individual wishes relative to the accommodation of their Olympic teams. In view of pimi
the dimensions of the Village and the variety attained in the planning of the houses it was
possible to comply with the wishes of the different nations to a considerable extent.
niijj
The Air Defence Barracks
The unusually large enrolment rendered the accommodating of every active participant in the Olympic
Village impossible, even though the rooms originally intended for the personnel were also given
over to the athletes. The problem of securing additional accommodations was solved through the
action of the Reich Air Minister in placing the barracks of the First Division of the 22nd Air Defence
Regiment at the disposal of the Organizing Committee. These newly erected barracks located in
a wooded district and adjoining the Olympic Village had to be changed considerably before they
were suitable for this purpose, and extensive work of renovation was thus begun at the beginning
of March, 1936. In order that the progress of the work could be controlled at all times, it was
The barracks of the Air Defence Force at the edge of the Village. The Peruvian team resting in front of their house.

180 181

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


arrived. A special hairdressing building, which had also been foreseen for a later date, was finished
within two months.

Although it was originally intended to use only the barracks as auxiliary living quarters, it was
discovered at the beginning of June that the garages would also be necessary for the 200 motor-
coaches which had been supplied by the Army for transporting the Olympic athletes.

The Air Defence Barracks provided accommodations for teams from the following countries:

1. Japan,
2. Rumania,
3. Czechoslovakia,
4. Hungary,
5. Spain,
6. Brazil and Argentina (in addition to the Olympic Village),
7. Germany.

A total of 1,180 active participants were housed in the barracks, and lodgings were also provided
here for a considerable number of the North German Lloyd personnel and other employees who
worked at the Olympic Village. Since accommodations were not available for team leaders who
wished more luxurious quarters, the officers' rooms of the different ordnance districts were placed
at their disposal. The instruction rooms were equipped as living quarters for the North German In the name of the German Army, Lieutenant-Colonel von und zu Gilsa,
Lloyd stewards. Even these accommodations proving inadequate for meeting the demands, the presents the Olympic Village to the President of the Organizing Committee, Dr. Lewald.
bachelors' quarters outside the barracks were also requisitioned.
The preparations in this case were carried out individually. After the Air Defence Barracks were
ready for the teams the wire fence between them and the Olympic Village was removed so that A standard ceremony had been devised for the reception of foreign teams. Following the official
direct connections between the two dwelling centres were established. greeting at the railway station and the ceremony of welcome at the Town Hall, the Commandant
The team leaders and members were at first dissatisfied upon learning that they were to live in of the Olympic Village welcomed his guests at the main entrance, a detachment of the Honorary
"barracks," but later expressed their satisfaction over the comfortable arrangements, and the large Youth Service and the military band of the Village being present on such occasions. When a team
individual lounging and reading rooms allotted to each team. The attractive location of the buildings arrived at the Village in the large motor-coaches, it formed in front of the flag mast allotted to it,
in the midst of the wooded district and the extensive lawns with trees, shrubbery and flowers all after which its national anthem was played and the flag raised. Following a short address of welcome
contributed towards rendering the sojourn here as pleasant as in the Olympic Village. Upon leaving by the Commandant, the team was escorted to the houses assigned to it by the Village band. Com­
the barracks, all of the team leaders expressed their gratitude for the excellent accommodations mandant, Honorary Service Officer and Honorary Youth Service. Upon arriving before the houses,
and praised the model cleanliness and order. The critically observing and constantly interested a second national flag was hoisted and the house keys were presented to the team leader. The cere­
Japanese were especially outspoken in their compliments. mony was especially impressive when a team arrived after darkness because in such cases the wel­
coming ceremony and procession into the Village took place by torchlight.

Reception of the Teams Long before the beginning of the Games the Secretaries-General or members of the National Olympic
Committees had already visited the Village in order to make arrangements for the accommodation
The Olympic Village was presented to the Olympic Committee by the German Army during a of their teams. An attempt was made to grant every wish. In response to their express desire, the
brief ceremony on July 1st, 1936. The Olympic flag was then hoisted over the Village, although Finns were assigned houses at an isolated spot in the midst of nature, the French athletes took up
the first guests from abroad, five members of the Japanese team who began their training at an quarters near the main entrance, and the Americans sought out houses in the immediate vicinity
early date, had already arrived in Berlin on June 20th and taken up quarters at the Village. For all of the athletic fields. Some teams wished as much sun as possible, while others preferred cool,
of those who watched the gradual development of the Olympic Village, it was an unforgettable shaded dwellings. The compilation of a plan was no easy task, and could not be completed until
moment when these five Japanese entered to the tones of the Japanese national anthem and the the last minute since accurate information could not be gained concerning the exact number of
flag of Japan, followed by that of Germany, was unfurled for the first time. participants. The distribution of rooms in the houses was left to the teams themselves.

182 183

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


Flag after flag is solemnly hoisted. The arrival of the Italians. The Swiss national banner waves for the first time in the Olympic Village.

The Sporting Department of the Olympic Village distribution of official badges and identity cards to the athletes. These lists were also used for the
The regulation and supervision of sporting activities at the Olympic Village was in the hands of circulation of the following printed matter:
the Sporting Department of the Organizing Committee, but it was also called upon to deal with a 1. Official guide book to the Olympic Games,
2. Pamphlets for participants and referees,
number of questions pertaining to the every-day life of the teams and the necessary preparations
3. Pamphlet containing information on travel and transportation reductions,
for their training. The headquarters of the Sporting Department at the Olympic Village were
4. Pamphlet explaining special customs regulations,
in the nature of an auxiliary branch of the Organizing Committee and at the same time an information 5. Traffic plan,
centre for the Chefs de Mission, Attachés and team leaders. A carefully prepared information service, 6. Map of Berlin,
including telewriting connections with the main headquarters and the Stadium, rendered valuable 7. Announcements of the sporting authorities to the national team leaders.
service in the rapid communication of instructions and questions. The official guide bòok was published in German, English and French, and 7,720 copies were issued
The activity of the Sporting Department at the Olympic Village began with the arrival of the to the team members and staffs at the Olympic Village, this number including j,699 Germans,
teams. On the basis of personal negotiations with the team leaders, lists were drawn up for the 1,861 English and 1,353 French copies. A special folder containing a National Olympic Committee

184 185

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


' ' • T l

Size of Maximum Size of No. Nights- I


Nation Arrival Date Departure
Team Size Team Spent I
Afghanistan July 14th 2 21 July 25th August 19 th 18 581 I
Argentina June 26th 49 49 June 26th 18th 13 2,283
Australia „ 23th 35 35 23th 17th 17 1,227
Austria July 30th 195 195 July 30th 17th 60 2,767
Belgium „ 28th 1 105 August 8th 17th 17 1,381
Bermuda „ 31th 7 9 9 th 17th 7 136
Bolivia „ 1st 1 2 ,, 2nd 17th 1 51
Brazil „ 16th 23 56 „ 4th 20th 41 1,534
Bulgaria „ 9th 1 39 July 30th 17th 39 738
Canada „ 26th 79 96 28th 19th 1 1,632
Chile „ 12th 7 46 30th 20 th 20 1,364
China „ 23th 84 84 „ 23th 20 th 50 2,117
Colombia „ 11th 7 8 23th „ 18th 4 272
Costa Rica „ 24th 1 1 24 th „ 16th 1 23
Czechoslovakia ,, 26th 1 181 August 7th ,, 18th 11 1,876
Denmark „ 29th 1 105 10th 17th 7 1,045
Egypt „ 17th 72 74 July 27th ,, 19th 69 2,570
Esthonia „ 27th 31 49 31th ,, 16th 5 750
Finland „ 20 th 4 127 August 3rd 19th 15 1,829
France „ 30 th 178 188 6 th 17 th 20 2,690
Germany „ 10th 75 300 ,, 1st 19th 8 6,773
Great Britain „ 27th 2 150 5th 17th 2 1,859
The French tri­
Greece „ 9th 1 54 July 30th 17th 17 1,171
colore is hoisted
Haiti „ 24th 1 1 24th „ 4th 1 11
by torchlight.
Holland „ 25th 2 107 August 7 th 17th 57 1,583
Hungary „ 24th 2 200 7 th ,, 18th 8 2,557
Iceland „ 22th 21 22 „ 5th 17th 19 542
India „ 13th 26 33 ,, 2nd 18th 8 1,041
Italy „ 20 th 45 195 July 30th ,, 17th 107 3,704
Japan June 20th 5 191 „ 28th 17 th 17 7,497
Latvia July 23th 5 39 „ 29th 17th 37 803
Liechtenstein „ 26th 7 7 26th 17th 2 137
Luxemburg ,, 31th 14 39 August 2nd 16th 1 427
Malta „ 29th 22 22 July 29th 17th 21 412
Mexico ,, 4 th 9 58 26th „ 19th 47 1,682
Monaco „ 30th 10 10 30th 19th 10 100
New Zealand „ 28th 10 10 28th 16th 1 160
Norway „ 25th 3 85 August 7th ,, 19th 1 1,031
Peru 1st 4 74 July 27th 12 th 74 2,564
Philippine Islands ...... „ 7th 34 34 7th ,, 18th 18 1,455
Poland ,, 29th 122 126 „ 31th 17 th 58 2,096
Portugal „ 30th 27 28 August 1st 17th 12 469
Rumania „ 26th 1 60 5th ,, 18th 3 818
South Africa ,, 14th 31 36 ,, 1st „ 18th 9 1,061
Spain „ 17th 4 4 July 17th ,, 4th 1 32
Sweden „ 26th 16 153 August 9 th 18th 14 2,021
Switzerland „ 24th 3 188 „ 8th ,, 16th 60 2,458
Turkey ,, 16th 8 74 July 31th 18th 39 1,844
Uruguay ,, 5th 47 49 10th 20 th 48 2,232
U.S.A „ 24th 309 304 „ 27 th 18th 105 6,570
Yugoslavia „ 23th 1 78 August 6th 17th 3 943
mm
4,202 82,964
I
Each inhabitant spent an average of 19 days and 17 hours in the Olympic Village

badge, a memorial medal, a pamphlet for participants, a pamphlet containing information as well as
travel and transportation reductions, a booklet, "General Regulations and Programmes," an official The Austrian
guide book, a city map, a map for the road competitions and a time-table were presented to the team arrives.

186 187

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


Secretaries-General of the National Olympic Committees. When the Secretaries-General applied for J e s s e OwEf>rs USA "Track, *»• TFi'et^ (oo AV Run•, AooM-^ua', 10486
IX loo M . B R Q A P Tol 'AP
them at the Olympic Village, badges for the members of the National Olympic Committees were Name: Auswelsnummer!

given out, these being valid only in connection with the complimentary tickets.
Amateur-Erklarung:
The distribution of the participants' badges to the different nations was by no means simple. Team
Ich, der Unterzeichnete, erkîâre auf Ehrenwort, daB ich im Sinne der Oiympischert
lists indicating the sport of each participant and the official capacity of each member of the ac­ Amateurbestlmmungen Amateur bin und die Staatsangehôrigkeit des Landes besitze,
das ich vertrete.
companying personnel would have lightened this work, but such lists were not available, and
Je soussigné déclare sur l'honneur être amateur conformément aux Régies
consequently the individual members had to be selected from the team lists and categorized according Olympiques de l'amafeurisme et posséder la nationalité du pays que je représente.
to their sport. Moreover, the teams from many nations did not arrive in a body but in groups
I, the undersigned, declare on my honour that I am an Amateur according to
according to the different forms of sport. Accurate records were kept of the badges issued so that the Olympic Rules of Amateurism and that I possess the citizenship of the country
which I represent at the Olympic Games.
if one were lost an exact control could be exercised. A total of 6,778 badges were given out to the
•El infrascrito déclara bajo palabra de honor que es amateur segûn las réglas
Chefs de Mission, team leaders, doctors, masseurs, athletes and accompanying personnel. During the olfmpicas de! amateurismo y que es ciudadano del pats cuya representación ostenta

course of the Games, 127 badges were lost and replaced, so that in reality 6,905 were distributed. In en los Juegos Olimpicos.

addition to the badges, the National Olympic Committees were given the complimentary tickets as lo sottoscritto dichiaro sul mio onore d'essere dilettante secondo le Regole
Olimpiche del dilettantismo e che possiedo la nazionalità del paese che rappresento
prescribed in the Olympic Statutes, i. e. one ticket for every 10 participants, with a minimum of 4 nei Giochi Olimpici.

and maximum of 20. The team leaders also received one complimentary ticket each in so far as they
were included in the official team list. A team leader was recognized for every form of sport in which
a nation was enrolled, but every nation did not send a team leader for each sport. Only the Chefs
• '1.n 3 é
de Mission and Attachés were entitled to receive the badges and complimentary tickets for distri­ (Jnifirsr.hriff '

bution. A total of 534 such tickets were given out to the members of the National Olympic Commit­
tees and 387 to the team leaders. In addition to the official badges and complimentary tickets, each Jesse Owens
team member received the official commemoration medal, of which 8,330 were distributed in all.

One of the important tasks of the cataloguing department, the work of which is described in detail A declaration of amateurism.
under the heading, "General Sport Organization," was the collecting of the declarations of amateur­
ism which every active participant was obliged to sign. The forms for this declaration were distributed
the different centres was discussed in detail with the Borough Authorities and the managers at the
to the Chefs de Mission of each team on the basis of the entries and were then collected by
fields. The Organizing Committee supplied each training field with the following Olympic equipment
the Sporting Department at the Olympic Village and attached to the record of each participant in the
in augmentation of the facilities already on hand:
card catalogue. This work was not without difficulties, since many participants, especially those
from neighbouring countries, did not arrive in Berlin until after the beginning of the Games, and 3 measuring tapes 10 women's javelins
then departed from Germany immediately after competing. It was nevertheless possible, except 1 starting pistol with ammunition 2 bases for javelin-throwing

in a few cases, to obtain a declaration of amateurism from every active participant. 6 starting shovels 3 men's discuses
6 relay batons 2 women's discuses
Extensive preparations were made in order to ensure all of those living in the Olympic Village 1 shot-put circle with barriers
20 hurdles
adequate training facilities, and thanks to the endeavours of the Organizing Committee, the wishes 1 pair of high-jump stands 1 discus ring
of the different national teams could be fulfilled to a considerable degree in the allotment of training 1 pair of pole-vault stands 2 throwing hammers
grounds. In order to guarantee smooth cooperation between the Sporting Department and the differ­ 20 jumping cross-pieces 1 finishing line tape.
ent teams, a training programme was compiled for the facilities in the Olympic Village. Through 10 men's javelins
the generosity of the City of Berlin and Borough Authorities the municipal sporting grounds were
By the time the Olympic Village was inaugurated, the compilation of the training programme had
placed at the disposal of the Organizing Committee. Each field was visited and inspected with the
been completed by the Sporting Department, and comprehensive instructions and information were
end in view of determining whether it could be included in the training programme. The first of
handed to the Chefs de Mission upon the arrival of the different teams. In arranging these programms,
these inspections were made in the summer of 1935, and the results compiled in a memorandum
an endeavour was made to place a training centre (athletic field, gymnasium, shooting range,
which was presented to the City of Berlin as the basis for improvements to be undertaken. The
swimming pool, etc.) at the disposal of each team at a definite time each day for training purposes.
alterations and extensions recommended by the Organizing Committee were carried out during
the spring of 1936, so that by the time the Olympic teams began to arrive adequately prepared This arrangement proved to be satisfactory and every team was afforded a period for training.
and equipped training fields were available. In order to spare the teams long journeys, sporting The smoothly working programme thus devised contributed substantially towards the outstanding
fields in the western part of Berlin were preferred. The organization of training programmes at achievements in the struggle for Olympic laurels.

188 189

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


The training centres at the Olympic Village, which included an athletic field, two gymnasia and a
swimming hall, were not considered in the compilation of the training programme, but were at
the disposal of every team without an exact programme being drawn up for their use. This solution
proved to be correct because the teams and their trainers preferred private facilities without spectators.
This completely understandable wish on the part of the Olympic teams was also responsible for
the Organizing Committee's refusal to reveal the different training sites and programmes to the press.
In fact, the needs and preferences of the athletes were always given first consideration by the Organiz­
ing Committee. Sporting instructors were on duty at the various scenes of athletic activity in the
Olympic Village, and they were also placed in charge of the facilities and distribution of apparatus.
The Reich Sport Field was naturally preferred by all the athletes because of its first-class fields,
although the Olympic Stadium itself was not open for training purposes, this being in accordance
with the Olympic regulations. The Directing Department for Shooting Sports made special arrange­
ments for rifle and pistol practice at the Wannsee ranges, and training facilities for the horsemen
were also arranged by the Directing Department for this sport. In arranging the training programme
for the modern pentathlon athletes, the Organizing Committee followed the international custom
of providing a special transportation service for the athletes. Each morning, the participants in the
Modern Pentathlon were collected by a motor-coach and conveyed from one training centre to
another so that they would have an opportunity of practising all of the required forms of sport.
No special training programme was arranged for the women because the feminine members of
the national teams exercised with the men under the supervision of their trainer. A sporting
instructress at the Women's Home maintained connections with the Sporting Department at the
Olympic Village.
The Griinau Regatta Course could not be given over to general training without certain regulations
in view of the fact that the course was part of a public water-way and thus open to water traffic.
"The flag high!" The German team takes up quarters in the barracks adjoining the Olympic Village.
The Directing Department for Canoeing and Rowing succeeded, however, in solving the training
problem to the satisfaction of all parties.
The following table indicates the number of training centres which were provided for the different In order to meet all the demands for masseurs the Organizing Committee established connections
forms of sport and also the number of hours which were spent in training at the different locations. with the Reich Association of Professional Masseurs, the Director of which was able to meet the
requirements of all the foreign teams, arrangements being made in each case at the Sporting Depart-
Training Hours
Spor
Centres of Training

Athletics 11 857
Weight-Lifting 4 162 "The big parade is on!" Over 300 Olympic athletes from U.S.A. arrive at the Village
Wrestling 4 244
Boxing 10 758
Fencing 5 725
Shooting 451) —

Modern Pentathlon 4 —.

Gymnastics 4 555
Equestrian Sports 3 —

3^) —

Swimming 8 809
Football 7 348
4 403
Handball 3 83
Basketball 8 546
Baseball 1 16
Total : 124 5,506

') Ranges in Wannsee 2) Avus, Cycling Stadium, Highway

190

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


Philippine athletes in training. A professional discussion: The hurdlers, Sport preserves youth: The South Africans,
Forrest Towns, U.S.A., and Wegener, Germany, The Chinese sporting instructor. Rushton (right) and Scholtz (left).

ment of the Olympic Village. The rates were those prescribed by the Association, complete massages with an American trainer. Dr. Hibino, is 71 years old.

lasting between 50 and 60 minutes being priced at 3 RM., partial massages lasting 30 minutes costing
The following numbers of admission tickets were placed at the disposal of active participants:
1.50 RM., partial massages 3 RM. per hour, the services of a masseur for an entire day, 25 to 30 RM.,
8 events on 8 days 1,605 tickets
and light rub-downs or relaxing massages lasting about 20 minutes, 1 RM. All engagements and
. . 11 » 6 „ 6,380 „
payments were arranged directly between the national teams and the masseurs. A catalogue of
..14 „ 14 „ 4,376 „
masseurs and masseuses was compiled, this containing over 300 names and addresses. One hundred .• 5 5 3> 1,228 „
4. Modem Pentathlon
and twenty masseurs accompanied various foreign teams, but since these were not adequate for the 5. Football (preliminary matches) . . . • • 1 2 „ 6 „ 4,000 „
work required, German masseurs were engaged in many cases for whole days or for single massages. 6. Handball (preliminary matches) . . • • 8 „ 4 „ 1,600 „
..11 „ H „ 7,920 „
Special seats were reserved for the athletes and official accompanying personnel at all of the
•. 2 „ 2 „ 1,200 „
scenes of competition. Except in the case of the opening ceremony, the Festival Play and the .. 6 „ 6 „ 3,046 „
presentation, "Music and Dances of the Nations," these seats could be occupied in the Stadium .. 3 „ 3 „ 1,600
upon the exhibition of the participants' badge and Olympic identity card, although at the other .. 6 „ 3 2,928 „
scenes of competition admission tickets bearing the special stamp, "Participant's Ticket," were 12. Wrestling and Weight-Lifting . . . . . 1 5 „ 8 „ 8,900 ,,
.. 4 „ 4 „ 2,448 „
required. These tickets were distributed by a special department of the ticket office which was
.. 3 „ 3 „ 1,105 „
located at the Olympic Village. An adequate number of seats were also set aside at each scene of
..16 „ 8 „ 9,088 „
competition for the active athletes engaged in the particular form of sport which was in progress, .. 6 „ 3 „ 7,008 „
the participants being admitted to these seats according to their badges. Total: 64,432 tickets

192 13 193

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


"Olympic greetings:" "Go!" The 400 metre relay team from U.S.A.: Draper, Metcalfe, Stoller and Glickmann
. . and more attention to form!"
Magda Lenkei, the Hungarian swimmer. The Japanese swimmer, Maehata, and the team leader.

The seats for which participants' tickets were issued had to be reserved although the number
All of the available participants' tickets were distributed [and utilized, the few tickets which required could only be estimated. These were adequate in every case, however, with the exception
were not collected by the team for which they had been reserved being turned over to other of the swimming stadium where the interest on the part of the athletes was so strong during the
groups at the last moment. During the 15 days of competition, 10 to 11 participants' tickets were second week that seats were no longer available to all of those demanding admission. Otherwise,
placed at the disposal of each of the 6,000 athletes, or in other words, 2 tickets daily to each 3 partici­
the participants could be accommodated at every competition.
pants for admission to the competitions held outside the Stadium. In the Olympic Stadium itself the Experience had proved that the interest on the part of athletes in events outside the Stadium
western half of Block D and all of Block E were reserved for the active participants, and in addition did not develop until after the competitions had progressed to a definite point. Realizing this,
thereto, standing room in the middle and upper gallery as well as auxiliary seats on the Marathon the Organizing Committee distributed participants' tickets to the various nations in the follow­
steps. The number of seats reserved for the different competitions in the Stadium averaged 4,400, ing manner: About 50% of the seats which had been allotted to each country on the basis of its
these being adequate for meeting the general demands. team size (as determined on June 3rd) were distributed in advance. These tickets were listed as
Special tickets were also provided for the athletes at the various additional presentations, the num­ "quota" tickets, and each nation was allotted seats only for those events in which it was participating.
bers being as follows:
After the number of "quota" tickets had been established a special form was filled in for each
1. Opening Ceremony 1 day 3,637 tickets nation and the seats reserved. A carbon copy of the form was attached to the package containing
2. Two performances of the Festival Play 2 days 5,338 „ the tickets, a second copy was filed, and a third was given with the tickets to the Chef de Mission,
3. "Music and Dances of the Nations" 1 day 3,395 „ who signed the original form as an indication that the tickets had been received. The remaining
4. "Frankenburger Wurfelspiel" 2 days 570 „
50% of the participants' tickets were distributed to the different nations each day during the
5. "Heracles" 2 days 602
6. Olympic Concert 1 day 50 „ course of the Games in response to special requests. The Sporting Department at the Olympic
Total: 13,592 tickets
Village was in charge of this work, and requests could be made each day until noon for the

194 13* 195

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


following day, the tickets being available after 6 o'clock on the same day. In view of the fact
that several thousand tickets had to be distributed daily, this work required an efficient organization.

When there was a special demand for tickets, the size of the team and its natural interest in the
competitions were considered in the allotment, nations being given preferences which were repre­
sented by one or more athletes in the events in question. Immediately following the first days of the
Games, the demand on the part of the different nations for tickets increased rapidly, and it was
unfortunately ascertained that participant's tickets were on some accasions given to acquaintances
and friends, and even sold to spectators. The misusage of the non-transferrable participants' tickets
could have been prevented if the control officials had recognized them only in connection with the
Olympic identity card, but this was often impossible because of the crowds at the entrances.
The Sporting Department at the Olympic Village maintained close connections with the leaders of
the different teams, and stood constantly at their side with assistance and advice in all questions
pertaining to sport and general management.
An important task which fell to this Department was the supervision of baggage transportation,
and all of the arriving and departing team baggage had to be certified in order that the prescribed
reductions in custom duties and transportation might be granted. In view of the number of
participants, this was no light task. The Sporting Department was also required to notify the
winners of the victory ceremony which was included in the Olympic programme from day
Maidens from the blue Danube sightseeing in Beriin. Austrian Olympic competitors in one of the army motor-coaches.
to day. The information forms used for this purpose also served as permits to enter the lower
referee's loge at the Stadium, and these were forwarded by the Sporting Department at the Olympic
Village to the attachés or team leaders who delivered them in person to the victors. In so far as
a paymaster with his personnel. The majority of the officers and men were selected from the different
it was possible during the short period of Olympic activity, the inscribed and signed diplomas of
troop divisions of the Army Motor Corps, but one officer and 100 men were also chosen from
victory were distributed by the Sporting Department to the victors in the Village. This task, as well
the Flying Corps. The conveyances, including 172 motor-coaches, 30 automobiles and several
as the circulation of news regarding changes in the programme or of messages dealing with technical
lorries and motor-cycles, were also provided by the Army Motor Corps and Flying Corps. The
or organizing questions, often occasioned great difficulty. All of this special work, which must
motor-cycles were used in the messenger service. The staff and 150 men with about 80 conveyances
be counted upon in every large organization, did not lessen the enthusiasm of those who belonged
took up quarters on June 15th, 1936 at the Elsgrund barracks in the immediate vicinity of the
to the Sporting Department, and the pleasant, comradely cooperation between the team members and
the Sporting Department constituted the highest reward for the many tasks which this group was
called upon to perform before and during the Games.

The Army Transportation Department

The Olympic Village lies nine miles from the Reich Sport Field, and m order to convey visitors
to the Village the Berlin Transportation Company installed a special omnibus line from the centre
of the city. Omnibuses travelled every half hour during the first weeks but as the period of the
Games approached the service was increased to ten-minute intervals. Owing to the fact that the
Organizing Committee contributed financially towards the institution of this lijie, active participants
were granted free travel at all times upon presenting their Olympic identity cards. The conveyance
of participants to the different training and competition sites as well as to and from the station
was undertaken by the German Army, this also being free of charge. The Department for Military
Motorization was commissioned by the General Headquarters of the Army with the organization
of an Army Transportation Department for the Eleventh Olympic Games, and Captain Aster of
the Technical Company of the General Headquarters Staff Department was placed in charge. The
Transportation Department comprised 4 officers, 420 non-commissioned officers and soldiers, and

196

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


Olympic Village, the vehicles being kept in the garages of the Elsgrund Air Defence Division
in the northern section of the Village. The remaining officers, men and vehicles arrived on July
10th. Directing offices with telephone connections were installed at the air defence barracks, the
barracks of the Motor Corps and in the Olympic Village as well as at Kôpenick Palace and the
Kôpenick Police Officers' School.
Active service began in June when the first participants were conveyed from the railway stations
to the Berlin Town Hall for the official reception. The second form of duty also began for the
Transportation Department at this time, that of conveying the participants daily to the Reich Sport
Field, training fields to the west of Berlin, the Post Stadium and other athletic fields in the central
part of the city. Plans for conveying all the athletes to the Reich Sport Field on August 1st also
had to be worked out. Careful preparations led to complete success in this task, 4,500 athletes being
transported from the Olympic Village to the Reich Sport Field in 30 minutes. The same feat was
repeated on the occasion of the closing ceremony. During the Games, the Army motor-coach
drivers had heavy duty, often working from 12 to 14 hours per day. Traffic regulations also had
to be worked out with the Berlin Police Department, streets and squares being reserved for parking
purposes or made into one-way thoroughfares. During the 100 kilometre cycling road race on
August 10th, the highway between Berlin and Hamburg was closed to all traffic. The arrival at
and departure from the Reich Sport Field and other scenes of competition had to be carried out
exactly and punctually in order to avoid congestion at the stations.
A special department for Griinau regulated the question of conveyance between the lodgings centre
of the rowers in Kôpenick and the regatta course. The motor-coaches assigned to the groups which
competed at the Deutschland Hall and in the fencing competitions were often compelled to wait
until the early morning hours when the programme of competition was unusually long. The Army
Transportation Department also arranged and carried out excursions into the surrounding districts
as well as to Potsdam and Rheinsberg Palace. Athletes who wished to attend sporting events at
the Reich Sport Field or Deutschland Hall as spectators were conveyed back and forth in motor- "The best recommendation for the services rendered by the German doctors was the confidence placed in them by every inhabitant
of.the Village." An Olympic athlete consults a doctor in the operating room.
coaches which ran according to a definite schedule.
The departure of the participants began even during the Games but the principal days were
between August 17th and 20th. On these days as many as 1,000 athletes were conveyed to the railway Village. In selecting the first aid officers an endeavour was made to obtain doctors skilled in surgery,
stations in a single day. Between August 20th and 30th the Army Transportation Department was internal medicine and diseases of the ear, as well as persons with a considerable command of foreign
gradually disbanded and soldiers and motor-coaches returned to their headquarters. During the languages. A special Spanish interpreter was also on duty at the infirmary, i he head doctor at the
period between June 15th and August 31st, over 5,000 trips were made by the motor-coaches and Wunsdorf Military Sports School was entrusted with the local supervision of this service, his
cars of the Army Transportation Department, 350,000 persons were conveyed and a total of assistants including 40 first aid non-commissioned officers selected from all of the Army Corps,
351,470 miles were covered. persons of wide experience and skill in sport massaging being chosen. Before the beginning of the
Games they were required to attend a special course of training at the W iinsdorf A'lilitary Sports
The Medical Service School for instruction in their future duties. In the Olympic Village, first aid headquarters were
The German Army was also called upon to make the necessary preparations from a medical and established at Hanau House, Hindenburg House and the newly erected air defence barracks. All
hygienic point of view at the Olympic encampments, and in this connection had to equip first aid of the rooms designated for this purpose were equipped according to the wishes of the first aid
rooms as well as select and train the first aid officials and their assistants. During the period of officials, and in addition to the necessary instruments and apparatuses were provided with such
occupancy a complete medical and first aid service was installed at the Olympic Village, women's modern facilities as X-ray equipment, Sollux lamps, diathermic apparatus, etc. Such appliances as
encampment at Elsgrund, men's encampment at Doberitz, international youth encampment and ultra-violet ray lamps and heating pads which could be lent to the medical attachés of the various
international physical education students' encampment. The staff physician of the Third Army Corps, teams for the treatment of their countrymen were also on hand in adequate numbers.
Dr. Ziaja, was entrusted with the preparation and direction of this service, the medical supervision Day and night medical service was provided in the Olympic Village, lengthy morning and afternoon
being in the hands of Dr. Baader of the Army staff. Five first aid officials, including one with dental consultation periods being held each day. It developed that the doctors which accompanied the
training, as well as two civilian dentists were engaged for the medical service in the Olympic various national teams undertook the treatment of illnesses and accidents only in rare cases, the

198 199

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


services of the German doctors being in most cases enlisted. Ailments of longer standing were first aid service at the Olympic Village and the excellent results achieved by the medical experts are
also treated with successful results. A total of 897 Olympic participants from all nations were accorded indicated by the fact that there were no signs of an epidemic of any kind during the entire Olympic
medical treatment by the doctors and first aid officials on duty at the Olympic Village. Most of the period. Comprehensive sport-physiological investigations performed under the direction of medical
cases could be taken care of in the Village itself, only 46 persons being sent to the Westend Hospital experts led to valuable results. The entire Olympic Village, especially the kitchens, was subjected
for the treatment of more serious accidents and cases of illness. Scratches, cuts and other flesh to constant hygienic supervision, a special laboratory for this work being equipped in the Berlin
wounds, bruises, contusions and sprains comprised the majority of cases although colds, ear ailments House. The water of the swimming pool was also tested at frequent intervals, and in view of the
and boils were also numerous. The number of stomach and digestive ailments remained surprisingly great number of athletes who assembled there, this precaution was especially neccessary. In the
low, being 13 in all, of which only 2 cases required hospital treatment. One appendicitis operation case of former Olympic Games, a contagious foot disease known as "athlete's foot" had been ob­
was necessary. There were relatively few cases of tonsilitis, only 13 persons applying for treatment. served, and extensive measures to prevent its appearance were taken. The entire swimming pool
One attack of malaria and one case of inflammation of the ear drum were recorded. Serious injuries as well as the baths and mats were disinfected each day, and although this involved a considerable
included 13 bone fractures and other bone injuries, 8 dislocations and a number of torn ligaments, amount of extra work, not a single case of the disease appeared. Naturally it cannot be ascertained
46 persons in all being sent to the Westend Hospital for the treatment of injuries. A Rumanian whether this was due to the disinfection measures or the favourable conditions, but in any case
boxer died there of blood poisoning because he engaged in active participation against the express it can be stated that at no time during the period of the Games were there signs of an infection
orders of his physician while suffering from boils which had not completely healed. Diseases of of any kind.
a contagious nature were not encountered. An unusual number of applications were made for the The inhabitants of the women's encampment at Elsgrund comprised about 1,000 Scandinavian
use of the various heating lamps, the team doctors valuing these very highly, and in all, 1,718 ray gymnasts, and a first aid officer able to speak Swedish was assigned to them, the Red Cross also
treatments were given. The X-ray department at Hanau House took 153 X-ray photographs for generously cooperating in providing six nurses who were versed in Scandinavian languages as
diagnosis purposes, while 362 photographs and 127 fluoroscopic examinations were recorded at assistants. The standard of health which prevailed here was satisfactory in every respect. Upon the
the Hindenburg House. X-ray apparatuses were often used by the team doctors. The dental arrival of the gymnasts the attention of the medical experts was attracted to a contagious digestive
office was visited by 147 athletes, the treatments numbering 473. The most serious cases disorder which a number of participants had contracted during the journey, but due to the immediate
encountered were an old fracture of the jaw bone of a Canadian boxer and a fresh fracture suffered action taken it was possible to check the spread of this disease and to exterminate it completely.
by a German wrestler. X-ray photographs were necessary in 33 cases, the dental office being provided A first aid official was also assigned to the men's encampment at Dôberitz, his assistants including
with its own apparatus. members of the Dôberitz staff and a nurse from the Dôberitz military infirmary who was versed
The medicines commonly used in the Army were provided free of charge, and it was also possible in languages. Due to the satisfactory standard of health prevailing among the inhabitants this service
to obtain foreign medicines and preparations, the costs in this case being borne by the national was adequate in every respect.
team to which the patient belonged. It may be stated that this possibility was utilized only in a few Special measures for protecting the health of the inhabitants were necessary at the international physical
cases. First aid non-commissioned officers were on constant duty at the training grounds, athletic education students' encampment and the international youth encampment at Rupenhorn, and for
fields and swimming pools of the Olympic Village in order to render assistance in the case of this reason the medical service in each case was placed in the hands of the hygiene inspectors of the
accidents. The German as well as the foreign participants were especially glad to make use of military staff. Even during the construction period many questions of a medical and hygienic nature
the competent services of the first aid officials for massaging purposes, as many as 50 massages being had to be considered and during the time of occupancy both encampments were constantly under
given in one day. The success attending the extensive preparation and careful carrying out of the inspection, contingencies being dealt with as they arose. It was thus possible to prevent the outbreak

200 201

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


Music attracts Italy and America. A midday concert.

of infections or diseases of any kind and to maintain a satisfactory standard of health. As in Doberitz and pianists, violin virtuosos, banjo, accordion, zylophone, harmonica and ocarina players, as
and Elsgrund, the medical facilities here included the complete equipment of a military infirmary, well as Tyrolean, guitar, mandolin and balalaika orchestras participated in the programmes. Famous
this having proved to be adequate. A camp doctor was stationed at each encampment so that day German and foreign vocal artists and musicians lent their services. Marta Linz, Irene de Noiret,
and night medical service was available, and first aid non-commissioned officers were installed as Jan Kiepura, Georges Boulanger, the Japanese tenor, Fujiwara, and the Greek singer, Moullas,
his assistants. The steps taken by the German Army for protecting the health of its Olympic guests gaining the enthusiastic response of the international audience. The Don Cossack Choir, Oskar
were complete and effective. The team doctors and the Army experts guarded diligently the health Joost and his outstanding orchestra as well as numerous dancers were especially popular, ihe
and physical welfare of the Olympic participants and were rewarded by the complete faith and ballet from the Berlin State Opera Company directed by Lizzie Maudrick, the Warsaw Opera Ballet
confidence shared by all who came to them. and the Gunther and Jutta Klamt dancing groups appeared on different evenings with such prominent
soloists as Alice Uhlen, Alexander von Swaine and others. The variety programme included acts
by many of the outstanding artistes and troupes of the world, jugglers, magicians, acrobats, eccentric
The Programme of Entertainment dancers and animal acts being especially well received. Two of the foremost presentations from
A community of several thousand such as the Olympic Village also involves the requirement for the point of view of popularity were the antics of the famous Fratellini Musical Clowns and the
entertainment, and in this connection the Village Administration was confronted with a more than exquisite step-dancing by Rita and Charlie Jenkins.
ordinary task. During the Games, trips into Berlin not only meant the loss of time, but they were The high points of the entire entertainment programme, however, were the appearances of the
not desired by the team leaders, and the organization of a special Entertainment Department was world-famous Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, which with its 100 musicians played two concerts
decided upon as the best solution to this problem. This Department was affiliated with the Village for the Village inhabitants. The second of these, which was held on the Village common before
Administration and was under the supervision of Captain Haagen, the different entertainments 3,000 Olympic participants by torchlight, concluded with an impressive display of fireworks. In spite
being arranged and supervised by Erich Schilling from the German Theatre in Berlin. The main of the extensive programme (41 presentations with about 400 soloist performers) the Entertainment
room at the Hindenburg House was the principal centre of these entertainments since it was provided Department carried on its work with very little financial assistance. The house was always "sold out,"
with a small stage, orchestra pit and a complete modern film projecting apparatus. It accommodated and the general atmosphere was one of enthusiasm and good spirits, these increasing to a high
1,000 persons, and was always full at the evening entertainments. point when talent was discovered in the ranks of the Olympic participants and various individuals
The programmes began on July 1st in the Olympic Village, these including two parts, the first appeared on the stage to entertain their comrades with musical selections and other performances.
of which comprised artistic and cabaret presentations, while the second half was given over to Berlin instrument firms provided all of the necessary musical instruments free of charge. On many
selected German and foreign films which were provided through the courtesy of the Reich Film occasions the auditorium had to be closed because it was over-crowded, and the entertainers were
Chamber. At the beginning of each programme the news reel scenes from the Olympic competitions also required to give encores, so that very often the final items on the programme or the concluding
of the previous day were shown, these naturally arousing the greatest interest among the Village film had to be cancelled because the time for retiring had arrived. The theatre was always closed
inhabitants. Many first-class artists appeared on the programmes, most of them offering their punctually in order that the quiet of the Village should not be disturbed and that the partici­
services in an honorary capacity. Since the audience was composed of representatives from about pants might receive sufficient sleep. Since the evening entertainments were usually crowded and
50 different nations, the presentations were usually of a musical nature, but variety was not lacking. the numerous stewards and members of the Honorary Youth Service could not gain admission,

202 203

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


special afternoon performances were arranged twice weekly. The programme of each evening Through the generosity of the Eher Publishing Company, the first number appeared at the beginning
entertainment was forwarded to the team leaders in German, French, English and Spanish, and of June in an edition of 4,000, and from this time until the end of the Games the paper was
was also posted in the dining-rooms. published every Sunday, the edition growing to 6,000. The general make-up and contents improved
A special Village movable cinema equipped with the Agfa-Tonfilm projecting apparatus was provided from week to week, and the Village inhabitants received their "Dorfbote" from the members of
by the IG-Farbenindustrie, and the news reel films which had just arrived from the training grounds the Honorary Youth Service every Sunday morning. It became extremely popular among the
were shown here regularly. This institution gained the general recognition and acclaim of all the athletes because it contained many articles by various sportsmen, these being printed in their
sportsmen. In order to acquaint the Village inhabitants with the newest technical developments native language. After the last number had appeared, the Publishing Company, in compliance with
in television, the German Post Office Department equipped a special television room in the Hin- the suggestion of the Village Administration, bound all of the numbers into a special album and
denburg House, where transmissions from the Reich Sport Field and the evening programme of presented this to the Chefs de Mission, team leaders and representatives of the foreign governments.
the television broadcasting station at Berlin-Witzleben were shown daily between 8 and 11 a.m. In view of the wish on the part of the majority of the athletes to visit the Berlin theatres
and from 3 to 8 p.m. and variety shows, a transportation system was arranged after July 1st, several omnibuses being
In addition to the daily presentations in the Hindenburg House, the Village inhabitants were also provided for conveying the Village inhabitants to the city and collecting them following the evening's
provided with other means of diversion, one of these being the Village newspaper, "Der Dorfbote." entertainment. The generosity of the theatre directors in placing as many as 100 complimentary

204 205

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


The "Bastion" and Canteen
In order to found a centre where the youth of the world could meet in a free, comradely manner,
where the American could obtain bis iced and soft drinks, the South American his mate, the Spaniard
his coffee and the Finn his milk, the "Bastion" was planned and erected. It was provided with a
bar which was equipped in a most complete manner, and the management of the entire establishment
was entrusted to the North German Lloyd Company, which assigned one of its best drink mixers
and an assistant to this task.
Only non-alcoholic drinks were served, and at the wish of the athletes the sale of cigarettes and
cigars was be^un during the Games. The "Bastion' did not prove to be as popular as had originali)
been expected, this being principally due to the fact that the athletes could obtain all such drinks
as milk, coffee, tea, orange juice, tomato juice, etc. at the household building, where the dining
rooms were open throughout the day. The cool weather that prevailed on certain days, especially
A presentation in the Hindenburg House that evidently pleased the audience. in the evenings, also contributed to reduce the desire for cold drinks.
The personnel canteen was located in the northern wing of the household building on the ground
floor, a special kitchen having been installed here for the accommodation of 300 persons engaged
tickets daily at the disposal of the Village inhabitants is deserving of grateful acknowledgement.
at the Olympic Village. It was possible for the members of the personnel to obtain a glass of beer
It might be added that the distributing of complimentary tickets and the visits to Berlin often
here without having to leave the Village, and in addition to beer, non-alcoholic drinks, cigars,
gave the team leaders cause for worry because it was difficult to prevail upon the athletes to
cigarettes and small articles of general necessity were sold.
leave the theatres, variety shows and other places of amusement and to return to the Village in
time for training the next morning to be resumed with everyone in fit condition. These diffi­
culties were overcome, however, and the evenings in Berlin were regarded as welcome oppor­ The Administration of the Olympic Village
tunities for relaxation following intense training. The German Army, as host at the Olympic Village, appointed Lieut.-Colonel von und zu Gilsa
as Village Commandant with Captain Fiirstner as his assistant. As official host, the Commandant
welcomed all of the Olympic teams upon their arrival. The administrative offices were located
near the main entrance to the Village, and the Commandant could be sought out here at any time
by the Village inhabitants for making personal requests and expressing special wishes.
The administrative personnel included soldiers versed in foreign languages. Staff Paymaster Borstell
was in charge of the offices, and had begun the work of preparation as early as the summei of 1935.
During the first months this task was carried on at the Headquarters of the Organizing Committee,
offices being installed at the Olympic Village in April, 1936. The preparatory work was performed
under the direction of Captain Fiirstner, who enjoyed the close cooperation of the Organizing
Committee. The administrative headquarters included the following departments:

1. Financial 3. Filing 6. Personnel


2. Bookkeeping 4. Material 7. Identity cards
5. Lodging

The first task of the financial department was the compiling of a budget for the Olympic Village
and the other lodging centres under its supervision, this work being started in July, 1935. A daily
accommodation price of 6 marks was established for each athlete, this including lodging, meals,
laundering and transportation to the training and competition sites. In the majority of cases a
special arrangement for the payment of this sum was drawn up with the team leaders upon the
arrival of the various national groups at the Village. Since Registered Marks were often utilized
for this purpose, the payments were made in cash at the Olympic Village, a branch of the Deutsche
Bank und Disconto-Gesellschaft situated in the Village arranging these transactions. The current
accounts were regulated as follows : Upon the basis of reports provided by the lodging department.

The Turkish basketball player, Seref, visits the Village hairdresser.

206 207

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


Administrative Headquarters 65
Olympic Village (including northern section) ............. « 208
Telephone Company ......... 79
First Aid Department 27
Army Administration Department 13
Honorary Youth Service. 198
Technical Department (gardeners, locksmiths, etc.) . . 85
Total 675

The team leaders and active participants all shared the common wish to live in the most undisturbed
manner possible at the Olympic Village, and for this reason general visitors were not admitted.
Women were not permitted to visit the Village under any circumstances. Permission to call at
the living quarters of the athletes could be granted only by the Chef de Mission or Attaché of the
the household department and the team leaders, daily financial statements were drawn up for team. For regulating such visits a central application office was established, and the permit to
each team and submitted to the team leaders for inspection. Such statements also included the enter the Village was issued at the office of the respective team in the Hall of the Nations. Although
costs of meals for guests who ate with the team on any particular day. These daily statements were the number of visitors was thus reduced as much as possible, the spacious reception hall and the
then compiled every third or seventh day according to previous agreement and submitted for visitors' restaurant provided the Village inhabitants with adequate opportunity for meeting their
payment. The accounts were paid promptly by each nation. friends. Telephones were provided in the Hall of the Nations and offices of the Attachés which
In addition to the principal bookkeeping, a special wage account was also kept for 270 stewards permitted every visitor to establish connections with any house in the Village. 1 hose receiving
of the North German Lloyd Company, who were engaged for service at the different houses, as visiting permits could enter the Village between 9 a. m. and 6 p. m. The permits contained the
well as the office workers and other employees of the technical department of the Village. A file name of the team and that of the house in which the individual participant lived. A member of
provided by the Kardex Company was used for this purpose. The Organizing Committee engaged the Honorary Youth Service was assigned to each visitor at the Village entrance and conducted
men alone for the management of the Village, members of the Army being chosen for most of the him to his destination, accompanying him again to the entrance when the visit was ended.
positions because of their previous experience in similar capacities. Typing ability, shorthand and The administrative headquarters also directed the service in the houses, cooperating in this task
At least two foreign languages were required. Six typewriters, including two electric ones, were with the household department. Two stewards from the North German Lloyd Company were
provided for the main office, and these were constantly in operation. Files were kept for over fifty assigned to each house for the purpose of keeping it in order and rendering service to the inhabitants.
different fields of activity. A large florist and gardening company was commissioned to supply flowers for decorative purposes.
One hundred and forty-seven German cities contributed photographs of uniform size for the adorn­ Four hundred and twenty-five vases of fresh cut flowers were required each day for the Hall of the
ment of the houses named after the respective towns, a total of 3,848 pictures thus being placed at Nations, the dining-rooms and the living quarters. In addition to these, 400 potted plants were also
the disposal of the material department for distribution. The inhabitants of the houses were per­ distributed. Over 110,000 sheets of stationery, envelopes and postcards bearing the Olympic Village
mitted to retain these pictures as souvenirs, and the local travel agencies supplied booklets in various insignia were provided free of charge for the use of the active participants. The Hindenburg House
languages in order to acquaint the guests with the character and scenic attractions of the cities, also played an important role from the point of view of lodging administration. 1 he members
after which the houses were named. of the Army had their headquarters here and were assisted by eight workers in keeping the much-
The allotting of lodgings to the different teams was carried out with regard to the wishes of the used gymnasia in order. Two rooms in the Hindenburg House were also equipped for religious
various nations. The arrival of the teams was announced by telewriter to the Olympic Village
by the sporting department, and preparations were made for the reception. After the arrival and
welcoming by the Commandant, the team leader submitted a list of the team members to the
lodgings department. The distribution of the rooms was left to the team leaders. The household
department was also immediately informed regarding the size of the team so that meals could
be planned.
The personnel department was directed by a member of the German Army assigned to this task
in the Olympic Village, and he was responsible for the service plan of all those employed in an
auxiliary capacity. He was also in charge of the activities of the technical staff, office workers and
Honorary Youth Service. The following groups were employed for various tasks in the Olympic
Village:

208

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


services. An office equipment firm delivered typewriters with the different keyboards for use in
the very popular writing room, and the Village administration provided paper.
The task of the technical department was the maintenance of the streets, paths and open spaces
of the Village as well as the organization and execution of the general work required. Eighty-five
stokers, locksmiths, gardeners and other handworkers were employed for this work, these being under
the direction of two engineers and a head gardener. The large heating plant containing 26 boilers
was continuously in operation, and the entire warm and cold water, sewage, electric and heating
systems were constantly under inspection. The gardeners were at work from morning until dusk
caring for the flowers and shrubbery, and each morning before the Village was awake the lawns
and athletic field were watered. Two powered mowing machines were daily in operation, and a
great number of automatic sprinklers were constantly in use. In view of the fact that it was utilized
throughout the day, eight workers were engaged for the athletic field alone. The street cleaning
and emptying of the refuse bins were supervised by the engineers, and wagons appeared at the
Village during the early morning hours to haul away the refuse. In this connection, every possible
hygienic measure was adopted and strictly supervised by the Village administration. Two covered
lorries were constantly on duty hauling the kitchen refuse from the court of the household building. the respective teams. At one end of the hall was a special information desk for visitors and actu e
Hygienic regulations were also carefully followed out in this department. participants alike. This desk was also provided with a file in which all messages and material intended
In order to eliminate mosquitoes before the athletes arrived, every possible breeding place, especially for the various teams were collected for later distribution. A lost and found bureau was also installed
the cellars of the houses, was sprayed with a special preparation, and about 23acres of land surrounding here.
the Village were also carefully treated for the extermination of these insects. During the Olympic Several of the 50 different types of insurance negotiated with the Victoria Insurance Company were
Games, 35,672,733 gallons of water and 385,807 kilowatt hours of electricity were used in the Olympic for the purpose of insuring the limbs, life and property of the Olympic athletes at the Olympic
Village. In addition thereto, 265 tons of coal were burned in the heating plant and 65.3 cubic yards Village, on the street and at the scenes of competition, while other policies were designed to protect
of wood for heating purposes in the three Finnish vapour baths. The Village fire department was the spectators against physical injury or loss of property and the Organizing Committee against all
also connected with the technical service. An automobile pumping apparatus with an attached foreseen and unforeseen claims for damages. The insurance regulations were posted in each room
light power pump as well as various fire extinguishing apparatuses was supplied by a fire-fighting at the Olympic Village and Women's Homes and the Victoria Insurance Company placed officials
equipment factory. The fire department, comprising eight men and a leader, was selected from the versed in foreign languages at each lodging centre to be of assistance whenever possible. A repre­
different local fire departments of the district. A police and patrol service was carried out by thirty sentative of the company was also constantly on duty at the Olympic Village to adjust claims. Special
especially chosen soldiers, these being lodged in the Hindenburg House. Two of these were on accident insurance was taken out in connection with the transportation of the teams in the Army
patrol duty day and night in the different sections of the Village. They wore arm-bands containing motor-coaches. In this manner the Organizing Committee was able to protect itself against claims
the word, "Information," and were instructed to be of assistance whenever possible. The entrances arising from injuries to athletes or spectators as well as from the loss of property. It was gratifying
to the Village were guarded by two officials of a special property protection company, and they were to note that the claims for insurance were very few, and as an outstanding indication of the successful
instructed to admit no one except athletes with identification cards or visitors with permits. Traffic efforts of the Victoria Insurance Company as well as of the Organizing Committee it may be stated
on the streets of approach and in front of the Village was regulated by members of the police staff that the adjustment of all claims could be made without an appeal to the courts.
appointed for dealing with additional traffic problems during the Games. A special police force The Village telephone service was in the hands of members of the Army who possessed a com­
was also appointed for service in and around the Olympic Village, 137 patrolmen and 12 mounted mand of foreign languages and were specially trained for this purpose. A telephone network
police commanded by 3 officers being engaged in three shifts for patrolling the district surrounding which was easy to operate was essential for effective organization in the Village. All of the houses
the Village, while 4 officials of the criminal police were on duty in the Village itself. The re­ could be connected with every other house and with the various offices. Moreover, automatic
peatedly demonstrated obligingness on the part of the policemen and gendarmes soon gained them telephone booths were installed in each house, the household building and the reception building.
many friends among the Olympic Athletes. The Reich Post Office Department generously consented to include the Olympic Village in the
The Hall of the Nations was located in the eastern wing of the reception building. An office was low-tariff district of Berlin. The Village telephone system contained two central exchanges. A
assigned here to each participating nation, and was occupied by the Attaché, an Honorary Service completely automatic system would have simplified connections, especially for our foreign guests,
officer or a team secretary throughout the day. These rooms were furnished and fully equipped but because of the high cost involved this was deemed unfeasible.
by the administrative headquarters. Since the Hall of the Nations was open to the general public,
these offices became the centres of information regarding the Village and its inhabitants. The team The western wing of the reception building contained rooms for five shops with entrances from
Attachés or their representatives maintained telephone connections with the houses inhabited by outside theVillage. These were completed and in operation on May 1st, 1936 when theVillage was opened

210 14* 211

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


Hall for the official welcome by the State Commissioner for the Capital City, the hand luggage
und trunks were transported to the Olympic Village. The offices of the forwarding agents were
open from 7 a. m. till 9 p.m.
In order to facilitate the exchange of money and cashing of traveller's cheques, the Deutsche Banc
und Disconto-Gesellschaft established a branch in the post office room of the reception building.
This bank regulated the at times difficult foreign exchange and Registered Mark transactions for
the Village inhabitants, taking into consideration the specially favourable conditions granted to
them. The majority of the team leaders opened an account at the Village bank and deposited
articles of value and documents in a special safe provided for this purpose. The bank was open
for business from 8 a.m. till 8 p.m., and most of the transactions of the administrative department
were carried on through the accounts kept here. During the period of the Olympic Games, the
bank in the Olympic Village maintained a currency circulation of over 1,650,000 marks.
The receiving department for laundry and clothing to be repaired was also located in this wing,
and orders of all kinds were received here and rapidly fulfilled, the customer paying the costs in
each case. Articles of clothing to be laundered, dry cleaned or pressed were usually ready on the
following day, and during the period of the Games a personnel well versed in foreign languages
fulfilled over 3,000 orders to the complete satisfaction of the guests.
Before the beginning of the Games, countless requests from every part of Germany were received
from persons who wished to visit the Olympic Village, and the Army arranged to open the Village
Hall of the Nations. to the general public between May 1st and June 15th, 1936. Tours were conducted by specially
trained students, and the Berlin Transportation Company installed an omnibus line from
for public inspection. A special shop for sporting articles was also included and was full of customers Berlin to the Village, 8,000 guests being transported during the first day. The number increased
from morning till night. German training uniforms, shoes and other sporting articles were soon daily, reaching a maximum of 48,000 on Sundays. By the end of the visiting period more than
much in evidence throughout the Village. 379,000 persons had inspected the Olympic Village.
Writing material of all kinds could be obtained at the stationery shop, although its most popular
articles were Olympic souvenirs of various descriptions. A third shop sold photographic material Olympic Attachés
and optical instruments, films also being accepted here for developing and copying. Our foreign According to Article XXV of the "Charte Olympique," the Organizing Committee has the right
guests evidenced more than the usual amount of interest in the small-film cameras, which were of appointing an Attaché for each nation, his mission being to assist in all negotiations between the
sold faster than they could be delivered. The North German Lloyd Company also established a Organizing Committee and the various national groups. The Attaché has to command the language
travel office and provided team leaders and members with information and tickets for tours in of the country to which he is assigned, and his appointment has to be agreed upon between the
Germany. Many team leaders requested this office to plan complete tours of Europe or, the return Organizing Committee and the respective nation. The principal tasks of the Attachés are the
journey for their groups. The last shop along the passageway contained fresh fruit and delicacies organization and planning of the journey of each team, cooperation with the Organizing Committee
of all kinds, the trade carried on with the athletes achieving undreamt of proportions. on all matters pertaining to lodgings and meals, and consultation with the Organizing Committee
Adjoining the Hall of the Nations was a large visitors' restaurant where the Village inhabitants concerning all special wishes, requests, complaints and orders of the various teams. In selecting the
could meet their guests. This establishment was open from 7 a. m. till midnight, and the personnel Attachés the Organizing Committee applied on March 7th, 1935 to the Berlin Legations and Embassies
was adept at languages and accustomed to serving an international public. An unusually extensive of the participating nations and requested their assistance. Many of the Attachés were recommended
variety of dishes and drinks was provided, and an attractive menu in various languages assisted directly by the diplomatic headquarters, while in other cases they were proposed by the National
visitors in overcoming language difficulties. The restaurant opened upon a broad terrace from Olympic Comittees of the different nations. If it was impossible to find a representative of the
which the visitors enjoyed an excellent view of the Village. A dining tent at the parking ground country in Berlin who was equipped for this post, the officer of the Honorary Service also assumed
was also managed by the restaurant, and an unusual amount of business was carried on at both the tasks of the Attaché. After the majority of the enrolled countries had appointed their Attaches
of these establishments during the entire period of the Games. and these had been approved by the National Olympic Committees, they were invited for the first
The Olympic forwarding agents, Schenker & Company, who were in complete charge of all trans­ time on October 27th and 28th, 1935 to visit the scenes of competition and the Olympic Village.
portation to and from the Village, maintained offices and a storage room in the western wing of At a luncheon served on this occasion, the President and Secretary-General of the Organizing
the reception building. They were authorized by the Organizing Committee to collect the luggage Committee delivered addresses dealing with the organization of the Games and the tasks of the
of the Olympic teams at the railway stations, and while the teams were being conveyed to the Town Attachés. A second meeting was held on January 10th, 1936, and on May 27th, 1936 another in-

212 213

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


spection of the various Olympic constructions was made. Following a luncheon served at the
Olympic Village at this time, the first business meeting was held. The Attachés were currently
informed regarding the state of the preparations through pamphlets and circular letters. Many
difficulties which developed in the negotiations with the different National Olympic Committees
could be dealt with by the Attachés without further assistance. With the opening of the Olympic
Village, they established their headquarters in the Hall of the Nations. From the day that the first
national teams arrived the Secretary-General conferred with the Attachés and officers of the
Honorary Service at the Olympic Village every three days during the morning hours.

List of Attachés

Afghanistan Dragoman at the Legation Haiti Edouard Voigt


Eiif Khan Holland W. F. H. M. Randag
Argentina Pedro Alberto Petrolini Hungary Professor Julius v. Farkas
Australia Captain v. Benda
Iceland Lutz Koch
Austria Prince Ferdinand Lobkowicz
India Captain Fanelsa
Belgium Walter Hauffe Italy Lt. Mario Solari
Bermuda Alan P. Graves
Jamaica ... Lt. v. Wick In the Swedish dining room. The Crown Prince of Sweden, who is also an Olympic athlete, and Captain Woldenga of the Honorary Service.
Bolivia Nielsen Reyes
Japan . . . Generalsecretary Tsuroka
Brazil Government Councillor Hiroshi Oshima Officers of the Honorary Service
Bartling
Latvia . . . Nicolai Seeberg
Bulgaria Major Matakieff, Secretary to The Army placed a young officer who was experienced in sport and versed in foreign languages
Liechtenstein . . . Baron Eduard Theodor
the Bulgarian General at the disposal of each nation, his duty being to advise and assist the team members in a comradely
v. Falz-Fein
Consulate manner whenever his services were requested. The officers for these posts were selected a year
Luxemburg . . . Consul Jean Sturm
Canada Arthur W. Treadway, before the beginning of the Games so that they could prepare themselves, adequately for their
Malta . . . Alan P. Graves
Pacific Railway tasks. They assembled for conferences and inspections of the Olympic Village, Stadium and other
Mexico . . . José Toscano Cisneros
Chile Diego Molina, Secretary to the scenes of competition in the autumn of 1935 and spring of 1936. On these occasions they were
Embassy .. . Captain Baron v. Grote
instructed in their future work and made acquainted with the organization of the Games, life in
China Mr. Sun, Chinese Embassy New Zealand . . . Lt. v. Wick the Olympic Village, etc. During the Games they lived in the settlement adjoining the Village.
Colombia First Lieutenant Baron Norway . . . Camillo N. Holm
The officers of the Honorary Service maintained close connections with the Attachés of the countries
Schenck zu Schweinsberg Panama . . . Dr. Francisco Villalaz to which they were assigned, and each officer ate with his team and accompanied it to its training
Costa Rica Government Councillor Peru . . Manuel Mujica-Gallo exercises and competitions. These representatives of the German Army fulfilled their task to complete
Bartling Philippine Islands . . Lieutenant Bretschneider satisfaction, explaining the Village regulations to the members of the team and forwarding all
Czechoslovakia Josef Novy Poland . . Lt.-Col. Antoni Szymanski
special wishes or complaints to the proper authority.
Denmark Baron Cai Schaffalitzky Portugal . . Eduardo Lima Basto
de Muckadell
Rumania . . Dr. V. Tu les cu List of the Officers of the Honorary Service
Egypt Mariy Hassanein
South Africa . . W. Dirkse v. Schalkwyk Chief of the Officers Bulgaria Captain Heinze
Esthonia Councillor at the Legation
Spain . . Antonio de Vargas-Machuca, of the Honorary Service ; Captain Count v. Schwerin Canada Lieutenant (E) Heinrichs
Georg Meri
Secretary to the Embassy Afghanistan Captain Fanelsa Chile Lieutenant Baron Schenck zu
Finland Lt.-Colonel Arne Snellmann
Sweden . . Director Allan Wettermark Argentina Captain v. Hulsen Schweinsberg
France M. de Guényveau, Secretary Australia Captain v. Benda China Major Ruef
to the Commercial Attaché Switzerland . . Dr. Max Holsboer
Austria Captain v. Rhaden Colombia Lieutenant Baron Schenck zu
Germany Dr. A. Jensch . . Lieutenant Fuad Hakki Ulug Belgium Lieutenant v. Natzmer Schweinsberg
Great Britain Alan P. Graves . . Luis F. Dupuy Bermuda Lieutenant v. Wick Costa Rica Captain Poleck
Greece Dr. Epaminondas Panas, U.SA . . Frederick W. Rubien Bolivia Captain v. Hulsen Czechoslovakia Lieutenant Miiller
Secretary to the Legation Yugoslavia Brazil Lieutenant Collatz Denmark Captain Naudé
. . Ing. Mihailo Borisavljevic

214 215

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


Egypt Lieutenant Riebel Mexico ... Captain Issmer willingness and efficiency these young people soon became extremely popular with the teams.
Esthonia Lieutenant Refior Monaco ... Captain Baron v. Grote In addition to the members assigned to definite tasks, a group of 30 to 50 youths were held in
Finland Baron v. Behr New Zealand ... Lieutenant v. Wick readiness for unforeseen eventualities. Several were on duty at the loges of honour and one was
France Captain Rohrbacher Norway ... First Lieutenant Hahn constantly in attendance upon the Secretary-General. During the fortnight preceding the opening
Germany Lieutenant Herre Panama . .. Captain Poleck
of the Games the members of the Honorary Youth Service were kept unusually busy with receptions
Great Britain Captain Grohé Peru . . . Lieutenant Bretschneider
Philippine Islands . . , . . Lieutenant Bretschneider
for the teams, accompanying them to training, acting as guides in and about Berlin, etc. While the
Greece Captain Reichardt
Haiti Captain v. Hiilsen Poland . . . Major Friede Festival was in progress their services were required almost constantly at the Olympic Village,
Holland Count v. Uexkiiii . . . Lieutenant Collatz Frisian House and different centres of competition.
Hungary Lieutenant v. Michaelis Rumania . . . Captain Reichardt The youths and girls performed their tasks gladly and efficiently, and their willingness to assist
Iceland Captain Naudé South Africa . . . Lieutenant Baron was gratefully recognized from all sides. Many a foreign guest will doubtlessly retain pleasant
India Captain Fanelsa v. Vietinghoff
memories of the part which these Berlin boys and girls played in the success of the Games. As a
Italy Captain Meier-Welcker Spain . . . Lieutenant Poleck
Sweden . . . Captain Woldenga
reward for their self-sacrificing endeavours and the time devoted to training themselves for their
Jamaica Lieutenant v. Wick
Japan Captain v. Petersdorff Switzerland . . . Captain Dinkelaker tasks they enjoyed the pleasure of being present at the Olympic Games.
Senior Lieutenant Lell . . . Captain Bluth
The Quarters of the Rowers and Canoeists
Latvia Lieutenant Refior Captain Issmer
Liechtenstein Captain v. Rhaden U.S.A . . . Captain Woite After the decision had been made to build an Olympic Village in Germany, it was desired to create
Luxemburg Captain N. Spilling Lieutenant Dierksen similar quarters for the rowers and canoeists. The difficulties encountered by the German represen­
Malta Captain N. Spilling Yugoslavia . . . Lieutenant Burckhardt
tatives of these two sports in Los Angeles were recalled. It had been learned there that a long daily
walk from the Olympic Village to the training site was not beneficial and that valuable training
time was lost. Therefore, after several lost days the German rowers and yachtsmen were moved to
The Honorary Youth Service
special, more favourably situated quarters. It was desired to spare the Olympic guests in Germany
At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Organizing Committee in June, 1934, the Commandant
these difficulties.
of the Olympic Village during the period of preparation. Captain Furstner, proposed the formation of an We were very fortunate to find a historical palace near the Grunau regatta course which had been
Honorary Youth Service for the purpose of rendering assistance to the athletes, the Organizing Com­ arranged as a student's dormitory. The surroundings of this palace were idyllic. It had beautiful
mittee, the technical department, the directors at the various scenes ofcompetition and the administrative dormitory and social rooms, its own gymnasium and a playing field. From its landing place,
headquarters at the Olympic Village, Frisian House and Kôpenick. The proposal was accepted one could reach the regatta course in a few minutes by motor-boat. W e were especially pleased
and Herr K. Brôsamle was commissioned in 1934 with the organizing of a youth service. In order that this palace was a historical monument, as we hoped our guests would appreciate this circumstance.
to obtain the widest possible choice of sporting youths and girls, connections were established
with the Berlin athletic clubs. The selection of candidates was carried out most carefully, and at The beautiful old Kôpenick Palace.
the end of several months about 450 youths and 200 girls were ready to begin their preparatory
training. Primary emphasis was placed upon a knowledge of languages, and the members prepared
themselves at their own cost in at least two foreign languages to the extent that they could carry
on an ordinary conversation. In addition thereto, they were instructed in all matters pertaining
to the Olympic Games, conducted through the museums and made acquainted with the traffic
and safety regulations.
Up to the beginning of 1936 the process of further elimination was continued until all of the dis­
interested and incapable candidates had been weeded out. The remaining 250 youths and 100 girls
were then carefully examined in the various fields so that by the beginning of June, 1936, 185 youths
and 70 girls were equipped for service. The youths were then divided into 3 shifts, each containing
10 to 12 groups. They wore attractive white uniforms and were diligent and obliging in their work.
They were quartered in a settlement to the north of the Olympic Village. The girls were also
divided into groups and wore uniforms similar to those of the boys, but lived at home. The Honorary
Youth Service began its active work with the arrival of the teams at the station, and members were
waiting at the entrance to the Olympic Village and other lodging centres to greet the foreign con­
tingents upon their arrival. The white clad youths and girls were always present for rendering
assistance and providing information, one or more being assigned to each team. Through their

216

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


We therefore came to the following agreement with the proprietor of the restaurant in the basement
of the Town Hall; He catered for those competitors who were assigned to him for the price of
6.50 marks per day. The Organizing Committee made up the resulting deficit.
It may be imagined that an unbelievable amount of detailed work was necessary to prepare the
three different dormitories so that they would meet all requirements. Their equipment had to be supple­
mented, and it was desired to decorate them so that they would be a source of pleasure to the guests.
We based our work on the experiences of Commercial Councillor Becker, a member of the Executive
Committee of the Berlin Regatta Association. Herr Hans Colberg, who had been recommended by
the Rowing Department of the Reich Association for Physical Training, directed the entire work.
Assisted by his wife, he devoted himself to this task with the greatest self-sacrifice. On June 29th,
1936 Herr Colberg moved to Kôpenick and opened his office there. Until the end of the Games, work
went on in this office at a feverish tempo. Herr Homann was placed in charge of the catering by
the North German Lloyd. Members of his banking house, the Deutsche Bank und Disconto-Gesell-
schaft, were also at the disposition of Herr Colberg. In a spirit of true comradeship, they aided him
in the different dormitories.
Towards the end of the 16th century, Joachim II, Elector of Brandenburg, had laid tiie cornerstone After we had decided to use these three dormitories, it was necessary to abandon the original plan
of the palace on a little island. The sons of the Great Elector lived there. An extension was built to of transporting the competitors to the Grunau regatta course by water. The police dormitory was
it in 1682, another during the reign of Frederick I in 1730, and it was in one of its halls that the at too great a distance from the landing-place of the Kôpenick palace. Due to the cooperation of
court martial was held which tried the young Crown Prince of Prussia, later Frederick the Great, and the Army, we were able to form our own transportation division of 7 army omnibuses. These
sentenced his boyhood friend, Katte, to death. Around 1800, the Prussian royal family sold the castle brought the teams from the station, and also conveyed the competitors between the quarters
to Field Marshal von Schmettau. However, it very soon became state property once more. It served and the regatta course.
as a prison, and later as a school for teachers. In 1926, it was made a foundation for German Some of the countries preferred separate quarters in the boathouses of the Berlin Rowing Associa­
students from foreign countries. The artistic treasures of its architecture and interior decoration tions. These were teams which wished to remain by themselves, or desired to live even closer to
were again made visible. It is delightful nowadays, to live in the beautiful rooms with their baroque, the regatta course. We also acceded to these wishes, and the Berlin rowing associations which
richly decorated ceilings, beautiful pictures and carved chairs. we recommended were happy to act as hosts to these competitors.
When canoeing was included among the events and the number of entries increased, it was soon
found that these first quarters for rowers would not be adequate. We therefore requested the Police The Olympic Home of the Yachtsmen in Kiel
Administration to permit us to use the building of the Kôpenick Police Officers' School. In contrast After Kiel had been definitely chosen as the scene of the Olympic yachting regattas, two principal
to the palace, this is an entirely modern dormitory. It has well-lighted rooms, large dining rooms problems faced those who were concerned with the organization. It was necessary to find a prompt
and a riding hall. and completely acceptable solution for these problems, since all further plans would be based
But these additional quarters were also insufficient. Our next plans proved to be impracticable. thereupon. A sheltered, modern harbour had to be created for the yachts participating in the races,
It was impossible to take over the building of a primary school because the cost of rebuilding it which would assure the safety of the craft during unfavourable weather. Near this harbour it was
for living purposes would have been too great. The houses of a new suburb on the edge of the city,
which was under construction, could also not be used because they were not finished soon enough.
The City Administration, which had made great efforts to assist us, finally placed at our disposal
the Dorotheen School near the palace. This is one of the finest and most modern schools in Berlin.
The President of the Province of Brandenburg gave his approval and it was thus possible to place
an additional 160 beds in the large, well-ventilated class-rooms of this school.
We wished to provide for the rowers, as far as possible, the same living conditions which the other
competitors enjoyed. It was most important that the teams of the individual nations should not be
forced to carry on separate negotiations for board. We charged a uniform price of 6 marks per person
per day, which was the same price we later charged at Kiel. We requested the North German Lloyd
Company to take over the catering in Kôpenick as well as in the Olympic Village. In the palace
and in the police dormitory there were kitchens which merely needed to be somewhat enlarged.
Due to the great expenditure required, it was impossible to install a kitchen in the Dorotheen School.

218

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


broader but shorter north wing. The back of this wing is even with the main part of the building,
but its front is set well back from Hindenburg Ufer. In the triangle on the side toward the water,
which results from the position of the two wings at right angles to each other, a terrace has been
created, from which one has a wonderful view of the Bay and the anchored battleships. The
social room is in the north wing, on the side towards the terrace. In form it resembles an ancient
Nordic hall. This room was a pleasant meeting place for the Olympic competitors from all parts
of the world. In addition to the rooms required for the guests, there were adequate offices for the
Olympic headquarters and the principal committees.
One hundred competitors from foreign countries were quartered in the "Olympic Home" of the
yachtsmen, which had been built especially for the Olympiad. They were from the following countries.
U.S.A 15 Denmark 15
Italy 15 France 15
Belgium 4 Japan 8
Uruguay 2 Argentina 12
Holland 12 Hungary 2

In addition there were 6 German yachtsmen and 9 officials of the foreign teams, making a total of 115.

necessary to provide lodgings for the Olympic yachtsmen which were in accord with the great
importance of the event. "•

The large Olympic Harbour, with space for several hundred yachts, was created at Hindenburg 1
Ufer. The city had first built a well-sheltered harbour directly adjoining the former Imperial Yacht
Club. This had been completed in 1934 and was used for the Kiel Regatta Week of that year. When
it appeared that this would not be large enough, the city acquired the property of the former Imperial
Yacht Club and improved this. Thus it was possible in 1936 to make a double harbour available.
During the Olympic Games this splendid lay-out proved highly practical.
The only possible quarters for the yachtsmen were a hotel at the water's edge and the building
of the Imperial Yacht Club. Since it was necessary also to provide quarters for the working com­
mittees close to the water, these two buildings were far from adequate. Lack of space prevented
the construction of an Olympic Village similar to that in Berlin. Therefore it was decided to build
a two-storied house on the only vacant space along Hindenburg Ufer. This was to be a simple but
dignified structure, especially suited for the Olympic yachtsmen. Early in March, 1935, the City of Kiel
ordered the construction, and in a few months the building was completed, according to the plans
of the Hamburg architect, Kurt Schmidt. The city received a subsidy from the Reich, which permitted
the completion of the Olympic Home in June, 1935. It was dedicated and opened during the Kiel
Regatta Week, which took place in that month. As a permanent memorial of the Yachting Olympiad
in Germany, the five Olympic rings appear as a beautiful ornament on the front of the red brick
building, facing Hindenburg Ufer. The back of the building adjoins the Dusternbrook Grove. The
guests could see the blue water of the Bay and the green woods in the background. Most of the
single rooms are in this part of the building. The balance of the total of 92 rooms are in the

220

The view over the blue water of the estuary from the terrace.

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


The following competitors were quartered in Hotel Bellevue, principally in order to provide them Organizing Committee visited the premises, on which occasion the preliminary plans for lodging and
with lodgings as near as possible to the Olympic Harbour, and also to comply with special wishes: accommodating the future inhabitants of the barracks were drawn up. During a conference held
Norway 15 Finland 15 on March 17th, 1936 in Dôberitz, at which all interested parties were represented, the necessary
Brazil 2 Esthonia 2 work of preparation, especially the alterations in the barracks themselves, was definitely decided
Turkey 4 Chile 1 upon, and the necessary funds for this work were applied for through Section III of the Military
Yugoslavia 2 Austria 2
Administration Department. A total of 582,000 marks were allotted for this project. Actual
Portugal 4 England 15
work did not begin until June 1st because up until then the barracks designated for the Olympic
Germany 4 Switzerland 6
guests were occupied by troops for whom new quarters had to be found or even erected. By the
This was a total of 72. end of July, however, everything was complete, and at the suggestion of the Commandant an
Eighteen Swedish yachtsmen and 4 Spaniards, a total of 22, lived in the Saxon House on Hindenburg official inspection was held, this leading to the general opinion that everything possible had been
Ufer. done in order to render the sojourn of the foreign guests in the Olympic encampments enjoyable
The following yachtsmen lived in the Imperial Yacht Club: and comfortable.
Poland 7 Canada 2
The inauguration of the Olympic encampments at Dôberitz and Elsgrund took place on July 25th
Czechoslovakia 2 with a military ceremony on which occasion the Commandant of the military drill grounds, Lieut.-
Colonel Recke, presented these to the President of the Organizing Committee. Dr. Lewald then
Added to these were 2 German yachtsmen and 7 officiais of the foreign teams—a total of 20.
turned them over to the officers who had been appointed as camp directors. Major von Rappard
A branch post office was opened in the basement in order to offer every possible comfort for the Dôberitz encampment and Major Ropke for Elsgrund. This marked the first time in history
for the guests, and at the same time to make it possible for the journalists to send their reports that the Reich military emblem was hoisted together with the Olympic banner, the flag of the German
as rapidly as possible. (There was also a special press post office in the Institute for World Econ­ Reich and those of Sweden, Finland, Denmark and China over the Olympic encampments.
omy.) The yachtsmen were grateful for the very large rooms in the basement for drying sails and The first foreign group to occupy these encampments was the Chinese exhibition gymnastic team
clothes, and also for the 65 feet long room for storing reserve spars, -etc. of 8 men, who arrived at Dôberitz on July 22nd, these being followed by the Swedish, Danish and
For all these reasons, the Olympic Home became the centre of the yachting activity during the Finnish teams, the latter consisting only of women. The last group to arrive at the Dôberitz encamp­
Olympiad, even though all the yachtsmen and other participants could not be given quarters in the ment was the German team numbering 630. The various national groups departed between August 10th
building. Quarters were provided for them, however, in the immediate neighbourhood, so that and 20th, not in bodies, however, since many participants preferred to remain a few days longer
the various committees could carry on their work in close contact with one another. The Olympic in order to explore Berlin and its environs. Each team was presented with its national flag which
Home became a true island of peace and quiet for the competitors between the contests. This was had waved over the encampment as a souvenir of the sojourn in Germany.
due, above all, to the fact that no social events took place in the Home. These were all held in the The first step in the work of preparation was that of seeking out quarters which through their
rooms of the Kiel yachting associations. Tooking back on the Olympic days, it can be truly said situation and facilities were most likely to meet the requirements. An attempt was naturally made
that the Olympic Home fulfilled the important mission of furthering the Olympic concept of to provide lodgings which would ensure the inhabitants complete quiet and satisfy all the demands
comradeship between the competitors of all countries and continents, and that it furthered the which could be made in connection with camp life. With these factors in mind, the stone barracks
development of international yachting. at Dôberitz were selected for the men and the completely isolated Elsgrund encampment lying in
the midst of a wooded landscape for the women. The Elsgrund encampment was enclosed by a
The Dôberitz and Elsgmnd Olympic Encampments high fence and the section of the Dôberitz encampment allotted to the Olympic participants was
separated from that utilized by the troops and from the outer world by a 1.5 miles long wire
A festive array of Olympic flags as well as streamers with the inscriptions, "Dôberitz; Olympic
mesh fence. In order to preserve the true military character in these encampments sentries were
Encampment" and "The German Army Greets Its Guests," announced to the visitors that in addi­
placed at the entrances so that the inhabitants would be spared any annoyance, and a special policing
tion to the Olympic Village the military barracks in Dôberitz were also being used to accommodate
staff was on duty in the encampment and outside the fence for the purpose of preserving order and
Olympic participants. As guests of the German Army, 715 Swedish men gymnasts were quartered
ensuring the safety of the guests of the Army.
in the Dôberitz military barracks, 715 Swedish women gymnasts in the Elsgrund barracks, 25 Danish
The lodgings, as used by the troops, were scarcely adequate for the accommodation of the Olympic
men gymnasts in Dôberitz, 21 Danish and 206 Finnish women gymnasts in Elsgrund and 630 German
guests, and for this reason every room was newly painted in bright, friendly colours and adorned
and 8 Chinese gymnasts in Dôberitz. These figures were not known at the beginning of preparations
with attractive curtains and landscape views of Germany. Each window was provided with
for the Games, and increased up to almost the last moment.
netting as a protection against mosquitoes. The tables, chairs, stools, wardrobes, etc. were re­
The first preparatory work on the two encampments began during the spring of 1935, but the
placed by new ones, the bedsteads repainted and the straw sacks renewed. Two new barracks
utilization of the Dôberitz barracks for military purposes throughout 1935 restricted the preparatory
with accommodations for 100 persons each were erected at Elsgrund, and a dining hall large enough
work for the time being to general planning. At the end of January, 1936 Herr Kôrner of the
to seat 300-400 as well as a practical and attractive entrance at the southern gate was constructed

222 223

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


at Dôberitz. The electrical fixtures were re-installed in both encampments, and their appearance
was enhanced through the planting of shrubbery and flowers. A music pavilion in Doberitz was
constructed especially for the evening concerts held during the Games. The festive appearance of
the Olympic encampments was emphasized through the tall flag masts and streamers at the entrances
as well as the flag masts lining the central street and bearing the flags of the nations represented
in addition to the Reich military banner and the Olympic flag.
Aside from providing accommodations, the task of catering for the teams demanded an unusual
amount of attention and preparation. One to two kitchens were installed for each national team
since it was intended that the members of each group served by a kitchen should eat together and
receive their accustomed nourishment. For this purpose a large dining tent with seating space for
400 was erected at Elsgrund. Cloths, dishes and table service were provided by the administration,
and a large corps of waitresses and kitchen personnel were engaged for waiting at table and washing
the dishes after meals. In order that the foreign teams might receive their accustomed dishes, a
woman specialist well acquainted with Northern menus was engaged by the Commandant at the
recommendation of the Organizing Committee to advise the cooks and superintend the meals,
which included the following items in constant variation:
Breakfast; Coffee, white bread, rolls, one egg, sausage and cheese, as well as porridge and oatmeal for the Finns.
Lunch: Soup, meat or fish, vegetables or salad and orangeade.
Dinner: Coffee, tea or cocoa and cold cuts, as well as a platter of cold meats arranged according to Swedish
fashion for the Swedes.
The women gymnastic competitors at Camp Elsgrund on a sunny day.
A flat rate of 2.50 marks per person per day was established for lodgings and accommodation,
this including service in the lodgings and at table. According to the general opinion, the encampment The Women's Dormitories
inhabitants were all well satisfied with the bounteous meals which they received.
We decided to follow the example of our 1932 predecessors in solving the problem of providing
Like the lodgings and accommodations, the medical service was also in the hands of the Army, quarters for the women competitors. The Americans had placed one of the finest hotels at the
the permanent staff physician of Doberitz, Dr. Hinze, being placed in charge of both Olympic disposition of the women. Although this hotel was wonderfully situated, equipped and managed,
encampments. A sufficient number of infirmary rooms were provided in each encampment for it still did not please all the women competitors who lived in it. This, however, was not due to any
light cases of illness and accidents, six nurses being constantly available. In view of the isolation deficiencies in the hotel, but merely to the fact that after long and intense training, women are very
of the two encampments an adequate number of hairdressing rooms were also installed, and capable high strung immediately before difficult contests. We wished the quarters to be separate from those
women attendants, many of whom were versed in languages, were employed at the Elsgrund of the men and also outside the radius of the metropolitan traffic. We were fortunate enough to
encampment. For ironing and pressing purposes a room equipped with 16 electric irons was installed possess an entirely new, large students' dormitory, the "Frisian House," in a part of the Reich Sport
at Elsgrund, and clothing and shoe repairs could be rapidly and satisfactorily carried out in the Field far away from traffic This seemed to us an especially happy solution of the problem of quarters.
handicraft department of the military headquarters. All of the canteens were equipped with writing
The women thus had quarters much nearer to the contest sites and to the streets of the city than the
materials and other necessary articles. A swimming pool and extensive warm shower rooms at Doberitz
Olympic Village. They could reach the centre of the city in a few minutes. The most beautiful
and Elsgrund as well as a newly equipped, model athletic field near the Doberitz encampment were
athletic fields and training grounds were directly in front of their doors. At the same time this
reserved for the exclusive use of the Olympic guests. Rehearsals for the gymnastic presentations
dormitory was surrounded by woods. Despite the proximity of the principal contest sites, it resembled
in the Olympic Stadium were held on the athletic field, and the trumpet corps of the Ninth Cavalry
a secluded island. It was so arranged that only two girls slept in each room. This dormitory had es­
Regiment and military band of the Fifth Armoured Car Regiment, both of which were stationed
pecially fine, new furniture and beds, a large kitchen, numerous social rooms—in short, everything
at the Doberitz barracks during the Games, provided the teams with the possibility of carrying
that the heart could desire. It was as suitable as any first-class hotel in the city. It had, of course,
out their exercises to music. These musical organizations also played an important role in the
the unavoidable disadvantages of every hotel where several hundred people must live together.
entertainment programme through their evening concerts.
However, the disadvantages were lessened by the fact that the women living in the dormitory
The complete system of organization at the two Olympic encampments proved to be completely were all active competitors, who presumably would not desire the same freedom of movement
satisfactory, the ultimate success of this enterprise being in no small measure due to the under­ during the Games which ordinary hotel visitors would wish to have. The size of the dormitory
standing cooperation of the different team leaders. Bonds of friendship were formed here which made it less desirable than the Olympic Village, with its many small houses. However, we believed
will certainly continue beyond the year, 1936.

15 225

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


that its nearness to the city and to the contest sites
would amply compensate for this disadvantage. A further
disadvantage was the fact that we could not provide a
separate kitchen for each nation.
Following the example of the Americans, we attempted
to mitigate this disadvantage by providing an extremely
varied menu, in order to satisfy all wishes. In addition,
we complied with all special requests which were ex­
pressed, and in a short time no further desires were
heard in connection with the food. It was a noticeable
disadvantage that the girls were obliged to eat in one
large dining room, rather than in individual rooms for
each country. We also found that it was impossible to
satisfy all those living in the house, despite our great
efforts to fulfil every wish. We heated the large build­
ing in August, so that the girls who found the temper­
ature too low should not be cold. We could do nothing
to change the rather barrack-like impression which the
large structure made on some girls. The resounding
noise in the corridors, which disturbed many of them,
was due, however, more to the way some of the women
Baroness von Wangenheim, the Directress of the Women's
competitors walked than to the construction of the
Dormitories.
building.
From the beginning, we endeavoured to give a feminine touch to the entire arrangement of the
house. This already existed in the second dormitory on the Reich Sport Field, the Women's Dor­
mitory. I his smaller house had 50 beds, each room having 2 beds, the necessary dining rooms and social
rooms, and an adequate kitchen. It was situated in the northwest corner of the Sport Forum. Until
the closing of the German Institute for Physical Training, the women students of this school had
lived in the dormitory. It was the first dormitory made available for the Olympic Games. It is
certain that the women who lived in it found it most comfortable. This dormitory offered more
of the privacy found at the Olympic Village. Its beautiful location on the slope of the old Spree
"It's fine here, and we can risk a little Neapolitan song and a dance . .
valley made it especially delightful. The Italian women competitors were the first to arrive.
The classrooms of the old gymnastic school were selected as a third dormitory, these having for­
merly been used alternately for the advanced courses of the men and women belonging to the everything necessary for the maintenance of their physical and mental well-being. Baroness von
German Gymnastic Association. They had somewhat the character of dormitory rooms, a large Wangenheim adjusted the disagreements which occasionally arose among the women competitors
number of beds being placed in each. These quarters adjoined the classroom wing of the Frisian from 27 countries and solved all their difficulties in a motherly manner. A large number of women
House the two were closely connected. A dining room was also provided there. belonging to the Women's Christian Temperance Union, who had special linguistic qualifications,
The dormitories were opened one after the other. In this case also, on the basis of the negotiations offered their services without remuneration. In addition, as many trained assistants as could
carried on in July, 1935, the North German Lloyd had taken over all the catering. Women employees possibly be spared were taken from the "Ottilie Hoffmann Houses." Eight employees were made
were engaged for this work. available for service without remuneration. Four further employees did paid work.
The direction of the women's dormitories was in the hands of Baroness Johanna von Wangenheim, Negotiations were carried on simultaneously with the Reich Academy for Physical Training, concer­
who had been active in Red Cross work for many years. Thanks to her perfect command of the ning the retention of the employees who had been working in the Frisian House. As the result of these
most important foreign languages, her knowledge of foreign countries, and her inborn graciousness, negotiations, one house superintendent, one kitchen superintendent, four male kitchen workers and
she inspired a spirit of friendship and collaboration, and made all the women competitors feel that 20 women for cooking, laundry and cleaning were taken over. In addition, 20 stewardesses from
they were being cared for as members of one large family. In the dormitories, the women found the North German Lloyd ships were sent to Berlin as chambermaids. It was first necessary to

226 227

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


A little homesickness during the first days. Olympic women competitors from the U.S.A.
In the dining room of Frisian House. At the table in the foreground, Chinese women Olympic competitors.

distribute the employees in such away that good cooperation was assured. After three women cooks team, each group was assigned a girl assistant. In addition, there were always two girls at the entrance
or assistant cooks had been requested from the "Ottilie Hoffmann House" for June 29th and had gate of the Frisian House, and two girls were stationed in the entrance hall to give information. The
arrived punctually, the accommodation of the first Olympic women competitors began on July 1st, remaining girls were employed for special missions, for example, to accompany individual foreign
1936, in the small Women's Dormitory. On July 14th, 1936, additional women from the "Ottilie women competitors on trips to the city. There were six girls of the Honorary Service in the Women's
Hoffmann House" arrived in Berlin. At the beginning it was necessary to provide six paid employees Dormitory to care for the competitors and for liaison duty with the Frisian House.
for kitchen work in the Frisian House, and three for the Women's Dormitory. One hundred and A girl of the Honorary Service was also at the station on the days when foreign teams arrived in Berlin.
three volunteer workers were occupied in the Frisian House. Of these, 41 younger girls waited on After the welcoming ceremony, she greeted the competitors, escorted them to the Frisian House,
the tables in the two dining rooms. and conducted them to their rooms. After the competitors had established themselves in their
An information desk stood in the hall of the lower floor. At this desk the work of the Honorary rooms, the girls of the Honorary Service showed them the other rooms of the house and the training
Service was organized. The Honorary Service consisted of 60 girls, many of whom were themselves fields. The Honorary Service provided the required athletic equipment and guarded the cabins of the
members of sporting associations. They had been chosen because of their good linguistic qualifi­ women competitors. Women athletes who had ended their training and had the permission of their
cations, and were to care for the women competitors, most of whom could not speak German. For manageress often travelled to Berlin and Potsdam. They were usually accompanied on these trips by
this purpose, the girls of the Honorary Service had also taken special language courses during the the girls of the Honorary Service. The girls of the Honorary Service explained the sights of interest,
two years preceding the Olympic Games. One girl of the Honorary Service was assigned to each team and advised their foreign comrades in making purchases. It became for the guests a matter of
for the duration of the Olympic Games. In the case of larger teams, for example, the American course that they should be accompanied everywhere by their German helpers.

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


When the competitors returned from their strenuous training or their excursions, they found a
beneficial peace in the Frisian House. It was a strict law that the competitors should be in no way
disturbed. It was the task of the Honorary Service to make sure that this rule was scrupulously observed.
The Honour Service guards at the entrance gate were inflexible, as many a journalist who was in
a hurry to get an interview with a competitor for his paper, many a photographer, and the numerous
visitors were obliged to learn. If one of the competitors wished to receive a visitor, the Honorary
Service made the necessary arrangements, and the meeting took place in the terrace restaurant
or in the social rooms of the Frisian House.
Several girls of the Honorary Service were stationed in the entrance hall of the Frisian House, where
they received special wishes of the competitors and those accompanying them. There were always
little purchases to be made, theatre tickets to be ordered, and advice to be given as to the most
entertaining way to spend leisure time. The girls of the Honorary Service could be easily recognized
by their white uniforms. When they were away from the Frisian House without an escort, the women
competitors were often happy to see a girl of the Honorary Service and to be able to request aid from
her. Warm friendships were formed between the foreign guests and their helpers, and in many
cases the farewell was sorrowful.
This service was not always easy. Many difficulties had to be overcome in order to fulfil the wishes
of the guests. However, the work was carried on by the girls with great enthusiasm. The girls were
assigned varying tasks, and thus were given an opportunity to become acquainted with competitors
from all the different nations. As a reward for performing especially difficult tasks, girls were permit­
ted to participate in the presentation of medals.
The women competitors expressed the greatest appreciation for the different services rendered by
the girls. In a comradely spirit, they helped in clearing the tables. Some of the German competitors
helped to prepare vegetables and peel potatoes. On one afternoon, during the free time of the
staff, two prominent women fencers organized with their male trainers a fencing tournament for
the entertainment of the staff.
Of all the women's dormitories, the Frisian House accommodated the largest number of people.
In addition to the girls of the Honorary Service and the staff, 408 women competitors lived in the
Frisian House during the Olympic Games. Fifty-two women competitors lived in the classroom
wing of the Gymnastic Association house and a total of 504 active competitors were lodged in the
women's dormitories.

The Women's Dormitory was in use uninterruptedly from July 1st till August 18th. At times as many
as 50 persons were present. Including the Honorary Service and the staff, meals were provided for
approximately 60 persons. The first guests arrived at the Frisian House on the 20th of July. For
their arrival, flowers were placed in all the rooms, including the social rooms, the hall and the large
dining room.
Especially appreciated by all the guests at Frisian House were the musical entertainments in
which the girls of the Honorary Service displayed their special talents. They sang German folk­
songs, played the piano and harmonica, contributing greatly to the general happy spirit which
prevailed at Frisian House through their own vivacious enthusiasm.

231

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


Organization of the Household Department
In order to ensure the physical welfare and fitness of the athletes, especially those who had come from
foreign countries, particular attention was paid to the individual requirements as regards accom­
modations and meals. The Organizing Committee realized this fact and made adequate preparations
in that it enlisted the assistance of the Household Department of the North German Lloyd Steamship
Company. The idea of gaining the support of this Company dates back to the year 1932, when
the German Olympic team made the journey to Los Angeles. At that time Captain Ewald Piitz was com­
missioned to look after the welfare of the Olympic athletes during their crossing on the "Europa,"
and through collaboration with the sporting physician and team leaders a carefully prepared diet
for the competitors in the different types of sport was developed on biological principles. The
chef who had prepared the meals for the team during the sea voyage accompanied it to Los Angeles
in order to supervise the nourishment of the German athletes during the days of competition.
It was thus natural that when the question arose as to the most practical manner of catering for the
various Olympic teams in Berlin, the North German Lloyd Company should be called upon for
counsel, and Captain Piitz was authorized to cooperate with the Organizing Committee in solving One of the large kitchens in the Household Building.
this problem. On the basis of conferences with Captain Piitz, the North German Lloyd Company
was entrusted with the entire task of catering for the Olympic athletes in Berlin.
7. Furnishing and equipping the dining-rooms and kitchens of the Women's Home (Frisian House) and of
The extensive preparations which were necessary for the practical execution of this task were begun the Smaller Women's Home at the Reich Sport Field.
as early as 1934. The services of the North German Lloyd Company included:
8. Furnishing and equipping the kitchens and dining-rooms in Kòpenick Palace, the police dormitory and
1. The room division of the household building at the Olympic Village; equipping the kitchens, dining-rooms, the Town Hall restaurant.
storage rooms, offices and living quarters with the necessary facilities and furniture, and supplying the
9. Engaging a hairdresser (as lessee for the entire project) and equipping three hairdressing rooms, one at the
complete table and kitchen service including chinaware, table service, glassware and floral decorations;
Olympic Village proper (23 chairs), one in the northern section (6 chairs) and one in Frisian House
moreover, expert advice in the purchasing of the aforementioned items.
(7 chairs).
2. Calculating the amount of linen necessary and arranging for laundering through the signing of contracts
with capable Berlin firms. 10. Arranging and furnishing living quarters in the northern section of the Olympic Village, including the
supplying of equipment and provisions for 4 kitchens and 7 dining-rooms.
3. Guaranteeing an adequate supply of provisions and in this connection negotiating with the proper Ministries
and authorities regarding customs reductions, the acquisition of the necessary foreign exchange for purchases
In connection with catering for the Olympic rowers at Kòpenick, the North German Lloyd Company
abroad and the placing of advance orders with Berlin wholesale firms for first-class home produce.
began its services at the request of the Organizing Committee in August, 1935, on the occasion of
4. Arranging for the necessary kitchen, dining-room and household personnel.
the European championship competitions in rowing. On the other hand, however, it saw itself
5. Compiling a budget for the household departments of the Olympic Village, Women's Home and the rowers'
forced to decline other tasks which had originally been allotted to it, these including bookkeeping
quarters.
and the management of the visitors' restaurant at the Olympic Village. A special financial bureau
6. Equipping and managing the "Bastion" (stand for non-alcoholic drinks) in the Village and the various
organized after the manner of the military accounting system was instituted for the Olympic
canteens.
Village and other lodgings centres under the direction of Staff Paymaster Borstell, the Household
Director of the North German Lloyd, Head Paymaster Kraus, assisting by taking charge of a part
of the bookkeeping duties at the women's homes. The firm, Messrs. HoflFmann-Retschlag, took
over the visitors' restaurant, the experience which the company had gained in managing the
restaurants at the Exhibition Grounds having proved to be extremely valuable in equipping and
directing this establishment.
Following preliminary planning in Bremen, the North German Lloyd Company opened its office
at the Headquarters of the Organizing Committee on March 2nd, 1936, its personnel numbering
three in the beginning. As the period of the Games approached and the work increased the office
was enlarged and finally transferred to the Olympic Village on June 3rd, where the rooms provided
for this purpose were occupied immediately upon their completion, hinder the direction of Captain
Ewald Putz and his assistant, Carl Rost, an exact working plan was soon drawn up. The headquarters

233

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


for the household services at the women's homes and the Kôpenick lodgings were also located Breakfast: Apples, bananas
Porridge with milk
at the Olympic Village.
Cornflakes, puffed wheat
From this time until July 1st, when the Olympic Village was taken over by the Organizing Com­ Grapenuts
mittee, the personnel of the household department had more than enough to do in preparing Orange marmalade, raspberry jelly
the dwellings and household building for occupancy and service. Eggs prepared as desired
Scrambled eggs with ham
Coffee, tea, "Sanka" coffee
Catering for the Olympic Participants
Malt coffee, cocoa, milk
The teams which were already present and which had hitherto been served at the visitors' restaurant Breakfast biscuits, toast
were now provided with their own private kitchen in the household building, the meals being
Lunch: Soup "Lison"
prepared according to the following basic plan drawn up by the household department;
Bouillon
Veal cutlet, spinage au jus
Breakfast: Fruit
Bechamel potatoes
Oatmeal or rice with milk
Rice with fruit
American cereals
Coffee, tea
Coffee, tea, milk, cocoa
Butter, honey, marmalade Dinner: Grapefruit
Eggs prepared as desired Ox tail, Bourguignonne sauce
Bread, rolls, toast. Green peas, potatoes
Salad with mayonnaise sauce
Lunch: Soup or bouillon Cheese
Meat, fresh vegetables, potatoes Tea with lemon.
Green salad
As experience revealed, so many deviations from the fundamental plan were necessary that the
Fruit, cheese or dessert.
menus as well became more and more specialized, and it was practically impossible to establish
Dinner: Cold or warm bouillon standard dishes. Festive banquets were even prepared at the request of various teams on certain
Fish, steak, cold cuts days, as, for example, for the Argentine athletes on July 9th, for Uruguay on July 20th and Peru
Vegetables, potatoes, green, salad on July 28th. Special menus were printed and circulated for these events at which invited guests
Fowl twice weekly
as well as the athletes and accompanying personnel were present.
Fruit
Tea, cold or warm milk.
Activity began in the storage rooms as early as 5 a.m. The wagons of the Spandau Dairy Company
arrived first with the milk, following which the breakfast biscuits, rolls and bread were delivered.
This general menu was submitted to each of the national teams before the beginning of the Games As the morning progressed numerous other deliveries were made in response to telephoned orders.
in order that they might examine it and express any special wishes, which were later given serious Larger consignments of goods also arrived from time to time by railway or motor lorry and had
consideration. to be unpacked and conveyed to the various refrigerating and storage rooms. During the period
The following meal periods were arranged: the Village was inhabited by Olympic athletes, 10 railway wagons with provisions arrived from
Breakfast 7 to 9 a.m. Bremerhaven, 9 from Bremen, 24 from Hamburg, 1 from Trieste and 1 from Bentheim, Holland,
Lunch 12 to 2 p.m. as well as 15 lorry trains from Bremerhaven and Bremen. The railway wagons were shunted to
a side line in the neighbourhood of the Village where they were unloaded and the provisions trans­
Dinner 6 to 8 p.m.
ported to the Olympic Village by the Olympic forwarding agents, Schenker & Company. The lorry
These periods proved to be inadequate, however, and service was carried on in some of the kitchens trains proceeded directly to the Olympic Village, but in some cases were unable to enter the court
and dining-rooms from 5 a. m. until after midnight. of the household building because the passageway was not high enough. Provisions were issued
The various kitchens drew up lists each day of the provisions required during the next 24 hours, to the kitchens throughout the day because the number of athletes to be accommodated varied
and after being signed by the kitchen inspector, these were sent to the provision room. Here the constantly. A butchering department was installed adjoining the storage room where the meat
desired articles were assembled according to kitchens and delivered by means of small hand wagons was prepared for the kitchens.
in time for their preparation. Menus were provided in English, French, Spanish and German for Several of the foreign teams brought provisions with them, Argentina providing, for example,
the different dining-rooms, a new menu being printed each day in the printing shop of the house­ providing 8,000 pounds of meat for its athletes, and Japan sending spices and soy as well as
hold building to cover the meals from breakfast until dinner. On August 1st, 1936, for example, preserved vegetables, fruit and other food-stuffs. These provisions were placed in the storage rooms
the menu read as follows: and issued to the athletes upon request. As has already been mentioned, various nations expressed

234 235

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


special wishes which were respected in so far as possible. The Organizing Committee and Household telephone exchange took their meals at the new officers' mess near the Village, the food served
Department of the North German Lloyd Company both endeavoured to comply with the desires here being simple but wholesome. Since the personnel dining-rooms were inadequate for
of the different nations and to provide their athletes with the type of nourishment to which they serving the Village band, the first aid officials and various members of the Army on duty in the
were accustomed. In answer to the questionnaire, the following special wishes were expressed: Village, the old officers' mess at the edge of the woods near the northern entrance to the Village
had to be taken over, the meals here being the same as those served in the other personnel dining-
Argentina: Three meat dishes daily with large portions.
rooms.
Australia: English cooking; beef, mutton and veal preferred; three meat dishes daily.
Following a conference with the Sporting Department of the Organizing Committee, the North
Austria: Biomalt.
Finland: Ample quantities of milk.
German Lloyd Company provided each refreshment station in the 50 kilometre walking and Marathon
France: Hors d'oeuvres instead of soup or broth at lunch. races with the following provisions:
Germany: Tomato juice, cream cheese with linseed oil; Ovaltine, Dextropur, Dextroenergen.
5 litres of warm tea 1 , .,
Greece: Cold or warm Ovaltine at all meals. f sweetened with grape-sugar
5 „ „ cold tea )
Holland: Warm meals only in the evening; ample quantities of vegetables, potatoes and fresh salads; for
5 warm tea i .
breakfast, Dutch cheese; for lunch, cold cuts of various kinds, sausages, eggs, Dutch cheese, bread } unsweetened
5 cold tea
and butter.
5 „ malt coffee
India: Curry, meats including mutton, veal, lamb and fowl but no beef, pork or beef suet.
5 ,, orange juice
Poland: Cold or warm Ovaltine for breakfast and dinner. „ cold lemonade sweetened with grape-sugar
5
Switzerland: Ovaltine at every meal. ,, warm oatmeal porridge
5
U.S.A.: Ovaltine, Dextroenergen. 1I
2 lb. sugar in cubes
Yugoslavia: Dishes cooked in oil. 30 cubes of grape-sugar (Dextroenergen) in tablet form = 5 packages
10 bananas
In addition to these general wishes, there were also many of a particular nature which had to be
10 oranges
fulfilled, especially before the competitions, during training, etc. Such wishes, however, were due
5 whole lemons
more to purely personal needs than to national characteristics. Special preparations were issued
by the household department only with the approval of the team leader or physician. These consisted Nine refreshment stations were provided for the 50 kilometre walking race and eight for the Marathon
principally of Ovaltine, Dextropur, Dextroenergen and Biomalt. The preparation of these foods race, the provisions being prepared in one of the kitchens of the household department and delivered
varied greatly, some of the athletes desiring them as a drink with meals and others preferring them by the athletic management.
in the form of between-meal nourishment. In order to ensure the utilization of first-class and com­ Since the meals provided at the international physical education students' encampment did not agree
pletely pure food-stuffs, the health bureau of the Berlin Police Department placed an inspecting with the Indian and Chinese representatives, the camp authorities approached the household department
physician in the household building of the Olympic Village to examine all of the provisions which of the North German Lloyd Company with the request that lunch be prepared at the Olympic Village
arrived there, including those from Berlin firms. for about 30 Chinese and 30 Indians, the food then being transported each day to the students'
The household department was informed of the arrival of the different teams by the lodgings encampment in special containers. The menus at Frisian House and in Ivôpenick were in general
department of the Olympic Village or the entry office of the Organizing Committee. Exact the same as those at the Olympic Village, and the dishes were prepared in a similar manner.
information was unfortunately lacking in many cases, however, and the announced size of the
The Menus of the Nations
team and time of arrival were often incorrect. The Organizing Committee was not to blame for
such discrepancies because the entry office was often unable to obtain exact information concerning In view of the different modes of life of the various nations an individual kitchen was installed
the various national teams. Because of this uncertainty, the average amount of food prepared each for each national Olympic team, and it was thus possible for the kitchen personnel to comply to
day exceeded the demand, especially during the period when the teams were arriving. a considerable extent with the wishes of the different groups. Although several nations brought
In addition to the kitchens in the household building of the Olympic Village, two additional ones their own chefs with them, the team leaders generally preferred to have the chefs of the North
in the northern section were also operated by the household department. In order to simplify German Lloyd Company take charge of their kitchens and to plan the menu for each day in collabora­
transportation as well as to save time, special storage rooms were equipped in the northern section, tion with the trainers and team physicians. The wishes of the different team leaders varied greatly
these being supplied from the principal storage house of the village. The preparation of meals in this respect so that it was impossible to compile a common menu for the entire Village. Suggestions
in both of these additional kitchens was carried out according to the general principles applying were made each day to the team leaders in order that some system could be maintained in ordering
to the entire Village so that the kitchens were in reality merely an extension of the household building. provisions, but special wishes always required consideration. The general estimates proved to be
In addition to the athletes, the personnel of the North German Lloyd Company, members of the adequate except in the case of fruit, the demand here exceeding all expectations. It was revealed
German Army stationed at the Village, the fire department and others also had to be accommodated. that sportsmen preferred a mixed menu before competition, grilled meat prepared in the Lng-
For this purpose a special canteen was established in the household building where substantial lish fashion predominating. There were few vegetarians among the athletes, so that the
meals were served. The members of the Honorary Youth Service and personnel of the central expected amount of vegetables was not consumed. Several of the teams also refrained from eating

237
236

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


The following list reveals the preferred dishes of the different nations;
Afghanistan: No pork and no sausages with a high fat content; fish and fowl demanded daily; ample quantities of
fruit, principally bananas; rice and fresh vegetables.
Argentina: Steak à la plancha or empanada à la Creol once daily; chicken with saffron rice and risotto with fish often
requested; dumplings and tallerines with extras; comparatively little veal and pork; spices, including sweet
paprika and garlic; ample quantities of oil; tomatoes; few vegetables; "mate" in the afternoon.
Australia and New Zealand: Beefsteaks, fowl and lamb but no pork; mostly grilled meat; salads; milk and tea as principal
beverages.
Austria: Dishes such as fricassees, Schmorbraten, etc. prepared with flower preferred in general; macaroni, noodles
and rice popular; steamed vegetables prepared with cream; following the usual meal, cold cuts or a sweet dessert
with coffee requested; eggs and ample quantities of white bread desired for breakfast.
Belgium: Meat of all kinds prepared in the usual manner; ample quantities of butter and eggs; Flemish black bread;
many entrees; beer as a drink; few vegetables.
Bermuda: Roast meat and also bacon preferred; rice or vegetables daily; salads of all kinds prepared with lemon; cheese
especially desired.
Brazil: Large quantities of meat, especially beef and pork; veal and lamb less popular; black beans daily (with dry
rice); little butter but large quantities of olive oil; six oranges daily and one pound of bananas per person;
strong coffee.
Bulgaria: Meat of all kinds in medium quantities but well done; fish now and then; ample quantities of butter and
olive oil; white bread and fruit. The Bulgarians brought a special cheese made of sheep milk with them. Large
quantities of sugar, sweet pastries and stewed fruit.
Canada: Considerable quantities of beefsteak prepared in the English fashion, also roast beef and spare ribs ; cold cuts
seldom requested; American breakfast with all extras; salads; vegetables cooked only in water; lamb and veal as
well as fowl prepared in the usual fashion, but preferably roasted; stewed fruit, tomatoes and fresh fruit con­
stantly demanded; large quantities of honey and cream cheese.

The non-alcoholic bar of the Olympic village. :

eggs before their morning training, and coffee, tea and other beverages which tend to stimulate
the nerves were not especially popular. Milk was constantly in demand, being in many cases mixed
with Ovaltine, malt or other concentrated food-stuffs such as grape-sugar, etc. Milk mixed with
fruit juices, butter-milk, curdled and sour milk; in fact, milk in every form was the most popular
drink among the majority of the teams. India held the record with a consumption of 2 litres per
person per day. During the Games, warm milk was also provided at night for the athletes. Alcoholic
drinks were demanded only by the French, Italian, Dutch and Belgian participants, the first two
desiring wine and the latter two, beer. The French team drank their red wine unmixed, while the
Italians thinned theirs considerably with water. Strange though it may seem, the demand for fish,
in spite of its high albumin content, was relatively slight, only Finland and Iceland desiring it several
times a week. Both countries insisted upon a plain manner of preparation without the use of fats
or sauces. The other nations requested fish only occasionally. Smoked fish, kippered herrings, smoked
salmon, etc. were rarely requested, probably because of their high salt content. In fact, very little
salt was used in the seasoning of the dishes.
Norway, Sweden, Esthonia, Finland and Denmark preferred cold cuts for lunch as well as salads
(small pickles), ample quantities of butter, black bread, crisp bread, bouillon and fruit consommé
(blueberry). These nations ate warm meals only in the evening. At the wish of the Dutch team
leader, the same menu was served to the Dutch athletes for the first as well as the second breakfast,
this comprising eggs, cheese, cold cuts, butter, bread, bouillon and oatmeal porridge.
Tasting the stew in the Kôpenick Palace kitchen.

238 239

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


The American athletes in their latge dining-room. The Wine is good, and the cuisine is like that at home in France.

Chile: The Chileans were moderate eaters, preferring beef and pork as well as fowl. Beefsteaks half done were popular; Germany: The weight-lifters received beefsteak Tatar, chopped raw liver, cream cheese with oil and considerable
rice, noodles or spaghetti at every meal; large quantities of marmalade. quantities of eggs, often four per meal. Light refreshment before training and more substantial food afterwards.
The athletes required normal meals, steaks, cutlets, pork chops, roast beef and fowl being principally
China: The Chinese were also moderate in their requests, pork and fowl being preferred as meats although beefsteaks
requested. Large quantities of fruit; vegetables prepared with flour; potatoes but practically no rice; tomatoes
were also demanded occasionally; no lamb; fish requested now and then; curry as a principal spice; large quanti­
and salads popular; milk with grape-sugar and fruit juices preferred as a drink; various kinds of bread with
ties of salad and fresh fruit, but few vegetables; 300 grammes of rice daily per person; iced tea and orange juice
large quantities of butter.
as beverages.
Great Britain: Moderate eaters; grilled meat, "medium" done, especially popular; three to four eggs, oatmeal, tea,
Chechoslovakia: All kinds of meat, roasted or prepared as steaks; pork fat preferred in the preparation of meat dishes, milk, fruit and toast for breakfast; Horlick's malted milk; plainly cooked vegetables.
these being eaten when possible with sauce; dumplings, noodles and boiled potatoes requested with meat dishes; Greece: Meat, all kinds of fowl and fish requested, this being served with rice, spaghetti or macaroni; large quantities
eggs and pancakes desired for breakfast; more than usual amount of sugar and sweet dishes; paprika, pepper of salad prepared with oil; milk and coffee constantly demanded; white bread and cheese.
and majoran as spices. Holland: Breakfast egg dishes also requested for second breakfast; steaks, cutlets and roast meat preferred for dinner
Denmark: Cold dishes; all kinds of meat prepared in the usual manner, i.e. as roasts, ragouts, steaks, etc.; normal quan­ in addition to salad with mayonnaise; green vegetables and large quantities of white bread as well as fruit,
tities of butter, eggs, milk, vegetables and potatoes; principally black bread; large quantities of fruit, especially especially bananas; ground steak preferred by the cyclists.
stonefruit. Hungary: Pork principally requested, this roasted or served as ragout, creamed cutlets, etc. seasoned with paprika;
also moderate portions of veal, lamb and beef; dumplings, noodles, macaroni and sour cream preferred as extras;
Egypt: Beefsteaks well done preferred; small amounts of veal, mutton and fowl, but no pork; no oil in the preparation
roast, steamed and boiled fowl; vegetables not requested with every meal; salads with green peppers; large
of food; green vegetables such as peas and green beans; only white bread; large quantities of fruit.
quantities of rolls and many oranges.
Esthonia: Large portions of meat prepared in every fashion; little fish and fowl; medium demand for vegetables and Iceland: Large quantities of beef and mutton; ham and fat sausage very popular; various fish dishes prepared in the usual
salads; large quantities of fruit and milk, especially sour milk; a good cup of coffee with sugar popular; grey manner; considerable quantities of stewed fruit but normal amounts of fresh fruit; coffee, tea and milk (Horlick's)
and black bread as well as three rolls daily. as beverages.
India: No beef or pork; principally fowl or lamb prepared in curry and eaten with rice only; few vegetables and salads;
Finland: Cold cuts from roast and sausages served with black bread, white bread, milk and large quantities of butter;
four to five eggs daily; large quantities of fruit and fruit salads. Several sportsmen were vegetarians.
fruit consommé, principally blueberry; oatmeal porridge and milk before training; cheese of all kinds; large Italy: The Italians' diet was prescribed by their sporting physician. Principally soups, spaghetti, macaroni, tallerines
quantities of smoked ham and bacon (which they brought with them) ; warm meals usually only in the evening and large quantities of Parmesan cheese; noodles, raviolli and strudles of all kinds; starchy foods at every meal;
with sweetened vegetables and potatoes; buttermilk popular; the consumption of fruit limited during training
the weight-lifters ate considerable quantities of meat, while the boxers consumed only bouillon with egg two
periods. days before competing; daily portions of meat average in size; normal quantities of fruit; coffee and chianti
France: The French sportsman is also an epicure, paying less attention to practical nourishment than to tasty and wine preferred as beverages; large quantities of rolls.
varied dishes. English steaks Chateaubriand fashion with white bread and red wine preferred for the weight- Japan: For breakfast, soup with meat, vegetables, soy and rice, then eggs, fruit and bread; for lunch, meat (pork
lifters; all kinds of meat requested, this being prepared in the form of steaks, filets, cutlets, roasts and ragouts; preferred), vegetables, rice, potatoes and often a sweet dessert; for dinner, steaks, ragouts, fish and other similar
delicacies such as mushrooms, anchovies, sardines, corn on the cob, green peppers, etc. popular; stewed fruit dishes with rice; vegetables and salads always mixed with soy; preserves which the Japanese brought with
with every meal; vegetables steamed in butter but without sauces; cheese, fruit and coffee after the principal meals. them also popular.

240 241

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


Latvia: Fried meats preferred; fowl and fish seldom requested. The Letts brought their own sausage, butter and bread
Administrative Headquarters of the Army provided two one-ton lorries with drivers from the
(grey) with them; boiled potatoes daily; milk and buttermilk.
Army Transportation Department, these lorries covering a total distance of 4,850 miles.
Liechtenstein: The Liechtenstein athletes ate with the Luxemburg participants, the meals being characterized by large
quantities of vegetables.
Luxemburg: Fowl as well as beef, veal and lamb steaks especially popular; mixed salads (lettuce, beans, asparagus);
sweetened water preferred as a beverage; large quantities of white bread; two raw eggs for the cyclists before "Great
the start of each race. International
Malta: Similar to the Italian menu; fish only on Fridays. Billiard
Mexico: Steaks and fowl served with black beans, pimentos and rice; all meals prepared after the Spanish fashion Tournament"
of the rowers.
with oil; eggs daily; baked potatoes with the principal meals; large quantities of bananas and oranges; saffron,
Australia
tobasco and garlic used for seasoning purposes. crosses cues
Monaco: Served together with the athletes from Malta; French cooking preferred in many instances. with U.S.A.
Norway: As in the case of the Finns, cold cuts popular for lunch; eggs with ham and bacon, cold cuts, grey and black
bread as well as crisp bread demanded for breakfast; large quantities of fresh fruit, stewed fruit and marmalade;
every variety of hard cheese.
Peru: Meals similar to those prepared for the Mexicans. As many as ten eggs per day were eaten by the weight-lifters.
Philippine Islands: Meat well done and served with rice or vegetables (no spinage or cauliflower); large quantities
of fruit, especially apples; tea, but little coffee; one lemon per person per day; no honey or cheese.
Poland: All of the Polish cabbage dishes popular; eggs demanded only occasionally for breakfast; large quantities of
black bread; vegetables prepared with flower, noodles, macaroni, etc.; sweet dishes such as stewed fruits, desserts,
honey and marmalade; all kinds of meat, boiled sausage and baked ham requested.
South Africa: Grilled steaks and fowl; menu in general similar to that of the English.
Sweden: As in the case of Norway and Finland, the "Smorgasbrcrd" was popular for lunch; roast potatoes with cold
dishes ; 150 grammes of crisp bread and 250 grammes of butter daily for the rowers ; large quantities of raw
Statistics of the Household Department
tomatoes; cream was usually mixed with ordinary milk; the wrestlers ate no meat but large quantities of eggs
and fish as well as oatmeal and blueberries. The budget of the Household Department drawn up in April and revised in July, 1936 was based
Switzerland: It was difficult in the beginning to prepare a menu suitable to all the members of the Swiss team, different upon the following estimates :
groups preferring Italian, French and Gferman dishes. As soon as all the kitchens were in operation, however, Olympic Women's Kôpenick Total
special wishes could be gratified without difficulty. Village Home
Turkey: No pork, no pork fat; eggs eaten for breakfast only by certain athletes; large quantities of fruit; oil used for Estimated number of provisioning days 131,900 8,240 14,550 154,690
preparing meat and braizing vegetables; the consumption of meat not especially large; grilled lamb and fowl Actual number of provisioning days 86,691 8,520 6,843 102,054
with pommes frites very popular; small Turkish sweet dishes often requested; eggplants, green peppers and Below estimated number 45,209 7,707 52,636
onions were the principal vegetables. Above estimated number 280
Uruguay: The general South American dishes with black beans requested, especially vegetables cooked in bouillon; The budget for the three lodgings centres was estimated at RM. 1,525,805.—
large quantities of white bread, oranges and bananas, the latter also prepared as fruit salad; stewed fruit and Calculated on the basis of the actual number of provisioning days, the budget totalled. . . „ 1,315,261.—
sweet potatoes eaten as dessert; moderate amounts of butter; orange juice in large quantities. The expenditures of the Household Department totalled „ 1,087,874.09
U.S.A.: Beefsteaks as well as lamb and veal daily for lunch and dinner; no form of fried meat except fowl; underdone
A net saving of RM. 227,386.91
steaks before competition; for breakfast, eggs with ham, bacon, oatmeal or hominy and orange juice; large
quantities of fresh and stewed fruit; no kippered herrings; vegetables and baked potatoes with principal meals; was thus recorded.
sweet dishes including custards and ice cream. The provisioning cost for each athlete was reckoned as follows:
Yugoslavia: Meat of all kinds fried in pork fat and served with sauces; considerable quantities of vegetables, potatoes Olympic Village RM. 3.95
and fruit; starchy foods preferred by the Dalmatians; double portions of meat for the weight-lifters; coffee The Women's Home „ 3.34
with lots of milk. Kôpenick ,, 3.88
Average RM. 3.92
The Organizing Committee placed a four-seater automobile at the disposal of the North German
The average provisioning cost for the personnel at each of the three lodgings centres was reckoned at RM. 1.50.
Lloyd Company between April 1st, 1936 and November 12th, 1936, and a second car between
June 13th and September 4th for trips from the Olympic Village to the Headquarters of the Organiz­ Expenditures were as follows :
For provisions RM. 516,571.95
ing Committee at Hardenbergstrasse 43, the household centres at the Reich Sport Field and in
„ wages, including overtime, travelling expenses and working clothes „ 446,673.48
Kôpenick, the various authorities and delivery firms, etc. A total of 30,160 miles were covered ,, laundering (active participants and personnel) „ 61,144.08
in these trips. For local transportation in the Village (delivering laundry to the houses, provi­ „ general administration costs, including office expenses, postage, telephone, cleaning
sions to the kitchens in the northern section, air defence canteen and aviation canteen, etc.) as materials, transportation, flowers, etc •• ,, 63,484.58
well as carrying provisions from the storage rooms to the Reich Sport Field and Kôpenick, the RM. 1,087,874.09

242 16* 243

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


Provisions for Athletes and Personnel
n n n w Quantity
Type of Provisions Personnel Total Wt.
Participants

kg. 26,047 9,243 35,290 = 100 beef cattle


3,147 3,590 6,737 = 91 pigs
10,149 1,989 12,138 = 110 calves
11,017 1,909 12,926 - 646 sheep
Casselef, smoked meat, corned beef kg. 179 1,013 1,192 and lambs
n -i 6,068 644 6,712
> kg.
1,175 494 1,669
o 2,591 3,869 6,460
Sausages for steaming and boiling kg. 159 378 537
19,729 — 19,729
c H c 103,390
kg- 80,261 23,129

3,047 796 3,843


87 458 545
45 — 45
. tins, glasses 1,707 — 1,707
> 15,210 2,491 17,701
803 803
O H n ^ s- kg.
8,952
•—

307 9,259
3,819 — 3,819
1,494 2,713 4,207
Raspberry juice and syrup kg. 1,769 131 1,900
Conserved hors d'oeuvres . tins, glasses 335 — 335
136 — 136
1,393 255 1,648
1,951 65 2,016
cr &L P> Salted and dried vegetables kg. 344 2,350 2,694
1,432 1,215 2,647
O^ Barley, crushed rice, oatmeal, groats, macaroni , noodles.
I I I
> rice, sago, spaghetti kg. 8,858 1,998 10,856
= 1,276 sacks1)
Flour, bread, cake, pumpernickel, pastry ... kg. 60,827 3,002 63,829
to — — 285 285
Pretzels, wafers, waffles, zwieback, biscuits kg. —•

402 — 402
p^ 2,478 1,594 4,072 — 81 sacks
— 309 309
a- kg. 517 36 553
260 105 365
>
7^ 8,001 3,272 11,273
9,677 3,866 13,543
P ^
612 936 1,548
72,483 13,917 86,400
1,962 — 1,962
165 —• 165
2,746 1,344 4,090
232,029 20,191 252,220 = 70 cases
1,528 592 2,120
45 45
I I — o

947 321 1,268


2,765 1,615 4,380
O H ^
137 27 164
233,748 — 233,748 = 1,299 cases
15,139 — 15,139 = 280 cases
24,060 1,013 25,073 = 83 cases
37,931 230 38,161 = 2,120 cases
45,030 7,045 52,075
42,793 10,051 52,844|
= 1,928 sacks
12,427 31,170 43,597[
H litres 5,399 — 5,399
58,622 16,695 75,317
I I I I ^ Remark : 100 kg. flour = 130 kg. bread

245
244

......

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


Number of Athletes, Staff Members, Guests, Honorary Youth Service Members and
Number of Athletes, Staff Members, Guests, Honorary Youth Service Members
Personnel Catered for
and Personnel Catered for
Sm aller Pc lice Dorotheen
Olymp: c Village Frisiar House Pa lace Smaller Police Dorotheen
Women 's Home Officers ' School School Olympic Village Frisian House Palace
Date Women's Home Officers' School School
Athletes, Athletes, Athletes, Athletes, Athletes, Athletes, Date Athletes,
Guests, Guests, Athletes, Athletes, Athletes, Athletes, Athletes,
Guests, Guests, Guests, Guests,
Personnel Personnel Personnel Personnel Personnel Guests, Guests, Guests, Guests.
Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Guests, Guests, Personnel
Personnel Personnel Personnel Personnel Hon.
Youth Youth Youth Youth Youth Youth Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon. Hon.
Month Day Service Service Service Service Service Service Youth Youth Youth Youth Youth Youth
Month Day Service Service Service Service
Service Service

June 15 20 — — — —

232 42,757 41,781 2,363% 3,055 1,190% 394 1,424% 1,243 1,480% 1,731 479%
16 — — — — — — — — — — Carried forward :

17 258 181 45 1! 185% 58 136 60 114


August 5 4,051 1,241 329%
18 I 270 134
6 4,186 1,241 343% 199 45 11 186% 57 147% 60%
19 — 262 — — — — — —
I 7 4,275 1,241 381 191 45 11 186 55% 146% 62 138
20 221

I
252 4,216 1,239 391% 182 45 11 187% 64 145% 60 141
21 8
22 416 4,181 1,239 383 173 45 11 187% 57 148% 71 148
— — — — ' — — — — 9
23 458 182 45 11 176% 58% 149 63% 143
10 4,043 1,239 406%
24 465 — — — — —-
65% 109
11 3,525 1,239 379% 182 45 11 157% 58% 147%
25 ~ 463 — — — — — — '—
12 3,021 1,239 358% 182 45 11 149% 57% 146% 63 104
26 467
424 2,848 1,231 330% 182 45 11 148% 52% 138% 63% 101
27 — — — 13
28 392 —• —• — — — —
14 2,685 1,231 321 182 45 11 148 67% 137% 61% 92
29 486 1,231 296% 184% 45 11 139% 66% 128% 61 68
15 2,504
30 571 11 — —
113 64 36
— —
16 2,180 1,231 272% 173 42 11 104 61%
July 1 155 704 4 11 3% 3% 49
1,230 209 153 16 11 60% 57% 65 51 27
2 117 772 — — 10% 11 15 17 10 48 — 17 1,293
204 793 22% 11 15 24% 16% 46% 18 528 1.158 5% 88 5 11 23% 46% 52 45% —
3 - — —

4 226 713 — — 22 11 15% 25% 23 45% — 19 • 234 1,116 — 66 — 9 — — 56 44% —

5 251 728 — — 22% 11 8 27% 26 52 —


16 39% 37%
20 160 705 — — — — — —

6 275 813 — — 23 11 15 26% 34% 48 —


21 — 645 — — — — — — — -— —
7 309 832 — — 23% 11 15 28% 33% 40 —

8 384 873 — 23 11 15 27% 37 44 —


22 — 591 — — — — — — — — —

9 381 883 — 23 11 15 27% 35% 44 — 23 — 233 — — — — — — — — —

10 414 914 — 37 11 16% 28% 35% 46 —


24 — 197 — — — — — — — — —

11 451 895 — — 51 11 16 28% 35% 47% —


25 — 182 — — — — — — •— — —

12 468 874 — 50 11 11% 24 24% 52 —


26 — 130 — — — — — — — — —
13 454 958 — 31% 10 25% 33 35 43 —

14 527 982 — 45 25% 10 27% 33% 37% 45 —


27 — 114 — — — — — — •—

15 534 1,011 — 45 24 11 29% 35% 39% 43 —


62,924 6,771% 5,571% 1,748% 557 3,465% 2,060% 3,377% 2,665% 1,834%
16 637 1,027 — 65 27% 11 18 36% 38% 49 —
86,687
17 653 1,038 — 65 30% n 15% 35 35 56% —

18 654 1,086 — 87 30 ii 16 38% 32% 48% —

19 671 1,088 100 24% ii 17% 32% 37% 58%


— —
Largest number catered for:
20 765 1,120 6 100 25% ii 17% 39 36% 47% ~

21 827 1,116 14 109 42 ii 16 38% 35% 47% — Athletes Personnel Total


22 886 1,130 15 117 45% ii 18 37% 35 48% — Olympic Village 4,275 1,241 = 5,516
23 967 1,164 32/4 176 46% ii 17% 36% 39 47% —
Frisian House, Smaller Women's Home 4573/4 210 = 6673/4
24 1,210 1,180 57% 176 45 ii 27% 38% 35 48% —
Kôpenick 4843/4 '381/4 = 623
25 1,412 1,168 83 177 45 n 56% 38 37% 47% —

26 1,448 1,140 95l/2 169 31 ii 59% 37% 36% 58 —

27 1,621 1,213 109% 181 45 n 65% 39% 35% 48 —


Partial accommodation reckoned as follows :
28 1,943 1,226 122% 181 45 ii 69% 46% 36% 46%
29 2,143 1,240 154% 181 45 ii 68 45% 46% 47% — Breakfast 1U ^ay
30 2,936 1,238 232% 181 45 n 67 51 69% 59 17% 2nd Breakfast or evening meal 1li »
31 3,512 1,241 275% 181 45 n 87% 52% 71 49% 83
Principal meal Va "
August 1 3,782 1,241 286% 181 45 ii 121% 52% 77% 54% 92
2 3,811 1,241 287 173 45 ii 127 50% 99% 63 93
3 3,906 1,241 288% 184 45 ii 136% 48% 98 55 96 The personnel was composed of:
4 3,823 1,241 303% 181 45 ii 160 56% 122% 57% 98
Administration and kitchen service from the North German Lloyd, press, first aid. Honorary \outh Service,
Carried forward : 42,757 41,781 2,363% 3,055 1,190% 394 1,424% 1,243 1.480% 1,731 479%
members of the Army, fire department and other assistants.

246 247

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library


I
j
:

Provisions Used Each Day


by the athletes, aeeompanying staffs, guests, Honorary Youth Service members and personnel

Olympic Reich Sp ort Field Kôpenick


Smaller Police Average
Village Frisian House Women's Home Officers1 School Palace
Type of Provisions
Athletes Personne Athletes Personne Athletes Personne Athletes Personne Athletes Personne
Total Total" Total Total Total Total Total Total Total Total Ath­ Per­
days days days days days days days days days days letes sonnel
86,687 62,921 6,77iy2 5,57114 1,718% 557 3,1661/. 2,0601/4 3,37 7i/4 2,665%

Beef g 260 118 103 174 41 21 233 212 278 247 246 129
Pork g 43 36 —• 65 17 8 26 40 25 53 41 39
Veal g 103 36 9 — 23 12 70 15 122 11 95 34
Mutton and lamb g 113 28 64 12 18 10 114 37 84 9 107 26
Casseler, smoked meat, cOmed beef ... g 2 14 —• 24 — 27 4 12 4 3 2 15
Cured and boiled ham g 62 8 68 14 12 6 37 21 33 22 60 10
Bacon g 12 6 3 12 3 2 29 23 6 4 12 7
Cold sausages g 29 57 4 33 4 3 16 21 15 23 26 53
Sausages for steaming and boiling g 1 5 2 , 8 3 I 10 8 5 7 2 6
Fowl g 94 — 132 — 82 — 77 — 93 — 96 —

Meat consumed per person per day 719 308 385 342 203 90 616 389 665 379 687 319
Fresh fish g 30 11 17 15 10 10 77 11 26 4 30 11
Salted and dried fish . g 2 — — — — 10 22 16
Smoked fish g 1i OQ 11 11
Conserved fish tins, glasses 0,018 0,003 0,011 0,010 — 0,020 j 0,017
Conserved vegetables g 168 31 123 91 104 8 221 8 172 7 166 34
Conserved mushrooms g 9 — 9 — 12 — 8 — 1 — 9 —

Conserved fruit g 91 5 67 2 68 — 58 •— 64 2 87 5
Jams and jellies g 36 — 48 6 36 5 61 2 47 •— 38 5 The Departmental Directors of the Organizing Committee keep fit for their strenuous tasks through an early morning run. A welcome guest
Marmalade II g 14 37 3 34 8 25 30 46 24 36 14 37
15 2 6 5 24 13 4 4 8 7 14 3 on this and other occasions was Bill Henry, Sport Director of the Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Raspberry juice and syrup g
Conserved hors d'oeuvres1) g 0,004 — 0,002 — 0,009 — 0,001 •— 0,003 — 0,004 —
(Left to right: Meusel, Klingeberg, Dr. Diem, Dr. Krause, Bill Henry)
Olives i
Sauces and spices2) 0,014 0,004 0,008 0,003 0,010 0,004 0,026 0,003 0,008 0,004 0,014 0,004
Table oil 18 3 13 9 8 4 15 5 10 4 17 4
Salted and dried vegetables
Legumes
3
12
96
32
22
24

4
25
43
18
43

6
26
18
n
10
5
52
36
13
8
19
13
88
28
15
25
4
11
88
33
21
25
GENERAL ORGANIZATION O F T H E GAMES
Mill products 39
22 14 9 21 15 24 15 19 14
Flour
414 421 212 301
— —

184 327 230 376 355


21

412 417
Sections of the Sporting Department
Flour products 97
Backery products
Q
o 7 15 0K 1 OQ
Cereals 4 2 2 7 — 2 4 A. Central Office Results Office — Olympic Stadium
Coffee 25 24 17 14 6 3 22 13 22 16 24 22 Hairdenbergstrasse 43 Lists of Confirmed Results and
Malt coffee g 4A O OQ 0Q 4A
Chocolate g 4 3 3 1 2 5 1 4 3 Records
Section 1 — Entries Office
Tea g 3 1 1 3 1 2 4 4 1 1 3 i
Sugar g 83 44 30 44 40 20 60 35 82 71 78 45 Despatch of Entry Forms Section 4 — Victory Ceremony
Butter g 99 49 65 86 42 21 80 68 77 65 95 53 Reception of Entry Forms Preparation and Carrying-out
Cooking fat g 5 11 4 14 3 5 13 20 21 27 6 12
Milk litres 0,755 0,193 0,429 0,190 0,145 0,070 '0,521 0,161 0,538 0,187 0,707 0,191 Lists of Participants for Different Sports Flag Service
Cream litres 0,020 — 0,009 — 1,000 — 'k0,019 — 0,020 — 0,019 —
Issue of Olympic Identity Cards Mementos
Whipping cream litres 0,002
Cheese g. 29 18 17 18 1 1 18 15 39 27 28 18 Reduced Travel Fares Section 5 — Dressing Rooms
Eggs number 2,435 0,227 1,193 0,736 0,692 0,344 2,123 0,700 0,912 0,139 2,262 0,276 Issue of Badges : Competitors, Allotment of Dressing Rooms
Dried fruit g 16 8 1 15 6 3 35 — 8 — 15 9
Nuts g i Officials, Judges for Teams
Vinegar g 10 3 6 13 2 3 10 11 9 11 10 5 Arrangements for Technical Delegates Dressing Room Distribution Plan
Salt 32 17 6 42 5 7 22 31 25 28 29 20
Spices 1 0,3 1 4 0,7 0,3 1 0,5 2 1 1 0,6 Issue of Complimentary Tickets to the
Section 6 — Torch Relay Run
Orange number 2,436 •— 2,018 — 1,229 — 0,824 — 1,162 — 2,291 —
National Olympic Committees
Grapefruit number 0,149 — 0,207 — 0,216 •— 0,125 •— — — 0,153 — Regulations
Lemons number 0,204 0,005 0,440 0,073 0,260 0,130 0,189 0,033 0,603 0,083 0,234 0,071 Issue of Tickets for Teams
Despatch of Torches
Fresh fruit g. 390 2 296 19 135 48 185 9 296 11 370 17
Ice g. 1 I 96 50 316 216 380 290 396 353 259 314 Section 2 — Apparatuses Liaison with the National Olympic
Potatoes g. 564 533 381 893 109 69 430 588 552 562 539 562 Orders, Acquisition Committees
Ice cream litres 0,053 0,001 0,073 — 0,027 — 0,062 — 0,028 -— 0,054 —

Fresh vegetables g. 600 213 261 321 154 77 603 320 526 321 568 227 Setting up Cooperation with the German
^ Tins and glasses. 2) Tins, bottles and glasses.
Central Office for Apparatuses: Headquarters
Remarks: Under the following are comprised: Olympic Stadium Section 7 — Timing
Mill products: Groats, pearl groats, crushed rice, oatmeal, rolled oats, crushed corn, macaroni, noodles, star noodles, rice,
sago and spaghetti; Section 3 — Results Office Preparation and Personnel
Flour products: Grey, black, white and crisp bread, pumpernickel, cakes and breakfast rolls; Preparation of Entries Testing
Backery products: Biscuits of all kinds, pretzels, wafers, gingerbread, waffles and zwieback;
Cereals : All Bran, bran, corn and wheat flakes, cream of wheat, grapenuts, crumbles, puffed rice, puffed and shredded wheat; Umpire Lists and Sports Committees Stop Watches •-— Timing Service
Fresh fruit-: Apples, pears, berries and stone-fruit; Athletes Personnel of the Organizing Committee Timing Camera
Potatoes : Unpeeled : Consumption per person per day in g 120 426
Peeled: Consumption per person per day in g 419 136 Technical Forms for Judges Electrical Timing Apparatuses

248 249

Source : Bibliothèque du CIO / IOC Library

You might also like