1.

PRESENTATIOn
1.
The Logo
The Logo for the 1936 Berlin Olympics was created by coincidence. The
artist, Johannes Boehland, started by designing an image with the five
olympic rings (to represent the five major continents), an eagle (a
representation of Nazi unity and the strength of the German people) and the
Brandenburg Gate, one of the main symbols of the city. However, the
President of the Games Organizing Committee at the time, Theodor Lewald,
was unsatisfied, and opened the bottom part of the emblem, creating a bell.
On the side of the bell was the inscription “Ich rufe die Jugend der Welt!” (I
call the youth of the world).

Johannes Boehland was told to continue designing the logo on this note, with the final candidate
composed of the Olympic bell, with the Olympic rings and the German eagle.

DATES of inauguration and closure

The 1936 Berlin Olympic games inaugurated on the
1st of August, 1936 as the tenth occurrence of the
modern Olympic Games. The event was held under
severe political tension given Hitler’s regime had just
started coming into power at the time of the Games.
The athletic festival concluded on the 16th of August,
1936.

Venue selection
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) granted Germany the right to host the Olympic Games
in 1931, when the Weimar Republic was still in power. IOC members believed that a postwar
Germany that was heavily burdened by the Treaty of Versailles would benefit from the economic
growth brought about by the Games. It was also believed that a Berlin Olympics would be a
significant step toward peace and reintegrate Germany into the European community.

International olympic committee president

The IOC president during the 1936 Olympic Games was Henri de
Baillet-Latour. The Belgian aristocrat and sports administrator
served as the third President of the International Olympic
Committee (IOC) from 1925 until his death in 1942. Born in
Brussels, he was instrumental in promoting the Olympic movement
during a challenging period that included the Great Depression and
the lead-up to World War II. He oversaw the ‘36 Olympics and
faced criticism for allowing Hitler to use the Games as tool for
propaganda to promote the Nazi ideology. Baillet-Latour opted for
the Games to be politically neutral, though some historians believe
his lack of politicization was part of his incompetence.
THE Torch
Design
The torch for the 1936 Berlin Olympics was designed by Carl Diem and Walter E. Lemcke, manufactured
by Friedrich Krupp AG. Its composition was primarily steel and fueled by magnesium tube and flammable
paste, the combustion time lasting at least 10 minutes.

The relay route and the Olympic rings are topped by a German eagle are
engraved on the handle, as is the inscription: “Fackel Staffel Lauf Olympia
Berlin 1936”. The platform bears the inscription: “Organisations-Komitee für
die XI. Olympiade Berlin 1936 Als Dank dem Träger”. It’s support is 28
centimeters in height and 70 cm in total.

Route
In 1934, the International Olympic Committee agreed to a new tradition: carrying
a flame from Olympia, Greece, all the way to the host city of the Olympics, which
that year was Berlin. The idea came from Carl Diem, an important figure on the
organizing team for the 1936 Games.

The torch relay route was designed to pass through the capitals of all the
countries it visited, making it a major event in each location.

Beginning of Torch Relay

Map of Torch Relay

On the 20th of July 1936, in Olympia, the first Olympic torch relay began, with Konstantinos Kondylis as
the first torchbearer. A special mirror, shaped to focus sunlight, was used to ignite the flame. Baron Pierre
de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics, gave a speech wishing the torchbearers success in
their journey. While this ceremony was happening in Greece, Berlin held its own celebrations outside the
Town Hall.

As the torch traveled to Berlin, it was welcomed with ceremonies in many cities. In Athens, a royal
ceremony was held at the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first modern Olympics had taken place in 1896.
THE Torch
In Budapest, the flame was celebrated at Heroes’ Square, near the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. When
the torch finally reached Berlin on the 1st of August 1936, the flame was used to light a cauldron in the
Lustgarten, located in the city center, where it burned for the entirety of the Games. The last torchbearer
when the item reached Berlin was Fritz Schilgen.

The flame didn’t just stay in one place. On the 2nd of August, another flame was lit from the one in the
Olympic Stadium and carried to Kiel, the site of the sailing events. This relay covered 347 kilometers, with
a different torchbearer for each kilometer. The flame then burned on a boat in Kiel’s bay during the
competition.

On the 7th of August, the cauldron in the Olympic Stadium lit yet another flame, which was taken to
Grünau for the rowing and canoe races. This leg of the relay involved 191 teams of three runners each,
covering 37 kilometers. In total there would be 3075 torchbearers from Greece, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia,
Hungary, Austria, Czechoslovakia and Germany, one for every kilometer travelled.

THE MEDALS
On the front side of the medal, there’s the goddess of victory, a symbol often used in the Olympics. She is
holding a palm branch in her left hand and a winner’s crown in her right. This design was first introduced
at the 1928 Amsterdam Games and was created by the Italian artist Giuseppe Cassioli (1865-1942). It was
chosen through a competition organized by the International Olympic Committee in 1921. For the 1936
Berlin Olympics, this image was paired with the inscription: "XI. OLYMPIADE BERLIN 1936."

On the back of the medal, there’s an Olympic champion being carried on the shoulders of a cheering
crowd, with the Olympic stadium visible in the background. It’s worth noting that from 1928 to 1968, the
Summer Olympics medals all used this same design. However, the 1972 Munich Games broke this
tradition. The organizing committee chose a new design for the reverse side, created by Gerhard Marcks,
a representative of the Bauhaus movement.

The medals differed in composition depending on the placement of the athlete. For first place it was gilt
silver, for second silver and for third place bronze. The size was of 55 milimiters.

The lighting of the TORCH

Fritz Schilgen was the final torchbearer of the 1936 Olympics. A German athlete
born on the 8th of September, 1906 in Kronberg, he was selected to light the
torch for his graceful running style to relay as a "symbol of German sporting
youth. He himself did not compete in the Olympics, but participated in various
after as a Consultant to the Olympic Committee and helped plan the 1972
Olympics. He had the honor of participating as torchbearer again in the 1996, the
centennial anniversary of the modern Olympic Games.
 2. the ioc
what is the ioc?
The International Olympic Committee is a not-for-profit independent international organization.
Established on the 23rd of June, 1894, the Olympic Capital is based in Lausanne, Switzerland. The
Committee is privately funded and gives 90% of its profits to the wider sporting movement, the
development of sport and athletes at all levels.

HISTORY
The IOC was founded at the first Olympic Congress in Paris in 1894.
The original invitation to what becae the Olympic Congress was sent
out by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, with the final name of “Congress
on the Revival of the Olympic Games”.

Born on the 1st of January 1863, de Coubertin looked to give

French children sport in education. By the age of 25 he became a
leader of French education reform. In 1889, during the Paris
Universal Exposition, he took a big step towards his vision by
organizing the first Congress on Physical Education. This event
allowed him to connect with key figures from around the world,
including educators, politicians, aristocrats, and leaders in business,
culture, and sports, all of whom would later support his dream of
reviving the Olympics. Fast forward to 23 June 1894, in the
impressive amphitheater of the Sorbonne University, an audience of
2,000 people enthusiastically approved his plan to bring the Olympic
Games back to life.

On June the 23rd a resolution to revive the Olympics was adopted at

the final meeting of the Congress. The Congress would later lead
way to the establishment of the International Olympic Committee
(IOC), of which Coubertin became secretary general and later,
president.

The first Olympic Games took place in Athens in 1896, with a

definition of amateurism agreed upon as the first step toward an
international agreement.

The first incarnation of the Olympic Charter was conceived in 1908,

a document which outlined that the IOC would operate as a
permanent and self-governing body, with a maximum of three
representatives allowed from any single country. Once elected,
members would hold their positions indefinitely. The President,
tasked with overseeing and representing the organization, was
granted the power to choose a secretary and a treasurer. The
President’s first term was set at 10 years, with the possibility of
being re-elected for additional terms.
HISTORY
The famous logo of the Olympic Games was created in 1913, when Pierre de Coubertin revealed a new
design in an article for the Revue Olympique. He described the emblem and flag that were to represent
the 9th Olympic Congress, planned for 1914 in Paris to mark 20 years since the revival of the modern
Olympic Games. The emblem showcased five interconnected rings—blue, yellow, black, green, and red
—symbolizing unity. It also included the Olympic motto, "Citius – Altius – Fortius" (Faster – Higher –
Stronger), framed by a wreath of laurel leaves.

Pierre de Coubertin created the iconic five-ring emblem to represent the unity of the five continents—
Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania—through the values of Olympism. Combined with the
white background of the flag, the rings included colors found in the flags of all nations recognized at the
time. It’s believed that Coubertin drew inspiration from the emblem of the Union of French Athletic
Sports Clubs, where he served as Secretary General in 1890. This federation, formed through the
merger of several sports clubs, used two interlocking rings as its symbol.

FUNCTIONS
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) stands as a truly global organization, driving collaboration among
a wide range of functions within the Olympic movement. This includes athletes, National Olympic
Committees, International Federations, Organizing Committees for the Olympic Games, Worldwide Olympic
Partners, and Media Rights Holders. Additionally, the IOC works closely with both public and private
institutions, including major international organizations like the United Nations, to further the Olympic cause.

The IOC’s mission is clear: to create a better world through the power of sport. Through its efforts, it aims to
promote peace, unity, and excellence, bringing nations together in the pursuit of shared values and common
goals.
FINANCING
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) operates as a privately funded organization, relying heavily
on contributions from commercial partners to finance the staging of the Olympic Games and support
the broader Olympic Movement. Since the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, sponsorship
and commercial partnerships have played a crucial role in the continued success and development of
the Games. The IOC's revenue model is built around a commitment to reinvest in sport, with 90% of its
income being redistributed globally. This means that, on any given day, more than USD 4.2 million is
allocated to support athletes, sports federations, and organizations at every level, ensuring that the
Olympic legacy reaches beyond just the Games themselves.

Sponsorship, in its many forms, has been integral to the Olympic Movement since its inception,
providing essential resources for both the Games and the development of global sports programs.
However, broadcast rights have proven to be the most influential aspect of growing the Olympic Games
on a global scale. The widespread coverage has not only amplified the visibility of the Games but has
also helped spread the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect, fostering a worldwide
audience and encouraging participation in sports across the globe.

CURRENT PRESIDENT
As of this date, the current President of the IOC is Thomas
Bach. Born on the 29th of December 1963 in Würzburg,
Germany he became an Olympic Champion when he won the
gold medal in fencing at the ‘76 Games in Montreal and was
named in 2006 the founding President of the German Olympic
Sports Confederation (DOSB). He was an athletes’
representative at the XI Olympic Congress in Baden-Baden in
1981, and is a founding member of the IOC’s Athletes’
Commission.

He joined the IOC in 1991, was elected to the IOC Executive

Board in 1996, and held the position of Vice-President for
over a decade. In addition, he chaired a number of IOC
Commissions.Thomas Bach was elected as the IOC's ninth
president on September 10, 2013. On March 10, 2021, he
was elected to a second four-year term.
CANDIDATURES
The 144th IOC Session, which will take place in Greece from March 18–21, 2025, will include seven
candidates running for the position of IOC president. The contenders will give a behind-the-scenes
presentation of their programs to the whole IOC membership during a meeting scheduled for January 30,
2025, in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The IOC members at the Session elect the IOC President through a secret ballot. The office has an eight-
year tenure that can be extended once for an additional four years.The guidelines for the presidential
election are set by the IOC Executive Board.The President is responsible for representing the IOC and
overseeing all of its operations. In situations where the IOC Session or Executive Board is unable to make
a decision, the President may also act on behalf of the IOC.

Candidates for 2025 election

 3. CITY AND COUNTRY
The 1936 Olympics were held in Berlin, Germany.

From the outer ranges of the Alps northward via the diverse terrain of the Central German Uplands and then
across the North German Plain, Germany, a country in north-central Europe, traces the major physical
divisions of the continent. One of Europe’s largest countries, Germany has a varied collection of landscapes:
the forested hills of the urbanized west; the sandy, undulating plains of the north; the steep, sheer
mountains of the south; and the plains of the agricultural east. In 1936, Germany had a population of about
67 million people, with 4 million concentrated in Berlin.

Germany's capital and main city is Berlin. The city was the capital of the kingdom of Prussia and, starting in
1871, of a united Germany because it is located in the center of the North German Plain and is situated
along an east-west commercial and geographic axis.

Berlin is a city rich in history, and many of its landmarks reflect its importance during significant historical
events, including the 1936 Summer Olympics. The Olympiastadion, built specifically for the Games, was the
centerpiece of the event and could hold over 100,000 spectators. It was part of the Reichssportfeld, a
massive sports complex that included the Maifeld, an open field for events, and the Waldbühne, an
amphitheater used for cultural performances.

The Bell Tower, also part of the complex, served as a vantage point and a symbol of the Games. These
Olympics were notable for showcasing Germany on the global stage under the Nazi regime, with an emphasis
on grand architectural designs and propaganda.

Other landmarks, such as the Berlin Victory Column and the Reichstag building, stood as reminders of
Germany’s broader historical and political context during this period. Together, these sites highlight Berlin’s
role as a focal point of cultural and political activity in the 1930s.
 4. HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Due to the political unrest, economic hardships, and social tensions that characterized the interwar era, 1936
was a year of significant global change. Countries all across the world were struggling with the aftermath of the
Great Depression, which had left economy in ruins and millions of people without jobs. Authoritarian
governments that offered stability and a national renaissance in return for individual liberties rose to power as a
result of this crisis. Under the leadership of Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party, Germany was at the front of these
developments, enacting radical policies that had an impact on all facets of society, including the political, social,
and even environmental spheres.

In terms of politics, the Nazis had complete authority over Germany in 1936. Hitler destroyed the Weimar
Republic after seizing power in 1933 and established a totalitarian government in its place. He was given
dictatorial powers by the Enabling Act, and the Nazi Party's rule was upheld by groups like the SS and the
Gestapo using brutality and terror. In order to indoctrinate the populace and promote the dictatorship, the
press, educational system, and cultural organizations were all strictly regulated. Hitler's audacity and the
determination of Britain and France, who opted for appeasement over confrontation, were put to the test when
they remilitarized the Rhineland in March 1936, a clear breach of the Treaty of Versailles. This gave the Nazi
government more confidence to seek more territory in the ensuing years.

Enabling Act Lodz Ghetto

Nuremberg Race Laws
German society was going through significant and unsettling social transformations. By advancing their belief of
racial superiority and methodically rejecting and persecuting anyone who did not meet this ideal, the Nazis
aimed to establish a uniform "Aryan" state. The 1935 Nuremberg Laws, which denied citizenship to Jews and
prohibited Jewish-non-Jewish marriage, formalized anti-Semitism. Other marginalized groups, like as Roma,
people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people, and political dissidents, were also targeted by the Nazis.

Promises of economic recovery and national greatness enticed many Germans to accept or submit to the
dictatorship in spite of these repressive practices. The next generation was shaped by youth groups such as the
League of German Girls and the Hitler Youth, which instilled a sense of commitment to the Führer and the Nazi
ideology at a young age.

Though less frequently studied, the environmental background of Germany in 1936 is nonetheless important.
In an attempt to lower unemployment and get ready for future military requirements, the Nazi regime carried
out extensive infrastructure projects, such as building the Autobahn network. The German environment was
reshaped by these efforts to conform to the regime's ideas of power and advancement. In addition, the
administration emphasized the nationalist concept of "blood and soil" (Blut und Boden), which bound the
German people to their homeland. This idea, which complemented the Nazis' larger objective of establishing an
independent and militaristic state, idealized rural life and agricultural self-sufficiency. However, especially in
occupied territories, these policies frequently concealed exploitative practices like forced labor and land
seizures.
 4. HISTORICAL CONTEXT
1936 was a year of increasing tensions on a global scale. In July, General Francisco Franco's fascist
forces and the left-leaning Republican government clashed in the Spanish Civil War. With the Soviet
Union backing the Republicans and Germany and Italy backing Franco's soldiers, this conflict attracted
international attention and action. Fascism and communism used the war as a stand-in conflict, exposing
the ideological rifts that would eventually overwhelm Europe.

In other places, Japan's strong expansionist aspirations in Asia were creating the conditions for war in the
Pacific. The League of Nations, which was created to keep the peace after World War I, was failing
because powerful nations like Italy, Japan, and Germany were openly disobeying its rules.In the midst of
this tense environment, Germany held the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, which came to represent the
aspirations and ambiguities of the dictatorship. The goal of the Games was to present a united, powerful,
and modern image of Germany during its alleged renaissance under Nazi control.

The Reichssportfeld complex, which included the Maifeld, Waldbühne amphitheater, and Bell Tower,
encircled the Olympiastadion, a colossal venue that could accommodate over 100,000 spectators. The
imposing architecture of these structures represented the grandeur and orderliness of the Nazi ideal.In
order to evade international condemnation, the administration temporarily loosened its overt
discriminatory practices during the Olympics. Foreign tourists saw a sanitized picture of Nazi Germany,
and anti-Semitic banners were taken down from public areas. Additionally, the Games were the first to be
televised, showcasing Germany’s technological advancements and allowing the regime to spread its
propaganda on the global stage.

The 1936 Olympics served as a platform for opposition to Nazi ideology in spite of their propaganda. By
winning four gold medals in track and field, American-born athlete Jesse Owens boldly challenged the
Nazi notion of racial superiority. His triumphs were widely praised and became a timeless representation
of resistance to injustice. Athletes and fans alike, meanwhile, had to face the uncomfortable reality of
taking in a major international athletic event while a regime that was becoming more violent and
oppressive cast its shadow.

Like the year itself, the 1936 Olympics reflected a world on the verge of collapse. They brought to light
the connections between politics, athletics, and philosophy during a period of extreme global
unpredictability. They were emotionally and politically intense. The Games provided Germany with a brief
moment of prestige, but they were unable to hide the profound political and social divisions that would
soon result in one of the most terrible periods in human history.
 5. Situation in spain
With growing political tensions, profound socioeconomic differences, and the start of the Spanish Civil
War, 1936 was one of the most traumatic years in Spanish history. Spain was sinking into a war that would
influence its future for decades while the rest of the world was preoccupied with the Berlin Olympics.

Political Situation: The Collapse of

the Second Republic
Spain was governed by the Second Spanish Republic (1931–1939), which implemented progressive
changes but encountered strong resistance from conservatives, monarchists, the military, and the Catholic
Church. The February 1936 general elections led to the success of the Popular Front, which was a
coalition of leftist groups such as socialists, communists, and anarchists. This win exacerbated the division
between the left and right.

The right-wing Falange Española, headed by José Antonio Primo de Rivera, along with conservative
groups such as the military, regarded the Popular Front as a danger to Spanish customs and property
ownership. Conflicts among political extremists, street riots, and killings surged significantly. The decisive
moment occurred in July 1936, when the assassination of conservative politician José Calvo Sotelo by
government-backed groups hastened a premeditated military coup.

On July 17, 1936, only days after the Berlin Olympics commenced, a band of military officers, among
them Francisco Franco, initiated a revolt in Spanish Morocco. This coup rapidly turned into a
comprehensive civil war, as Spain divided between Republican forces (backing the government) and
Nationalist forces (headed by Franco and the military insurgents)

Social Upheaval: Class Struggles and

Revolutionary Movements
Spain in 1936 was deeply divided along class lines. Landowners and industrialists feared the rise of
socialism and communism, while workers and peasants demanded radical change. In the countryside,
anarchist and socialist movements were organizing land collectivization efforts, leading to violent conflicts
with landowners.

Workers in cities such as Barcelona and Madrid began to take over factories and public services, forming
revolutionary committees. Meanwhile, Catholic churches and clergy became targets of anti-clerical
violence, as many working-class leftists associated the Church with oppression.
Women were also increasingly active in political and social movements. The Mujeres Libres (Free Women)
group, associated with anarchism, fought for women's rights, while figures like Dolores Ibárruri ("La
Pasionaria") emerged as prominent voices for the Republican cause.

The Spanish Civil War Begins: Impact on

Sports and the Olympics
The outbreak of the Spanish Civil War had immediate
consequences for sports. Spain had originally planned
to send a team to the 1936 Berlin Olympics, but in
protest against Hitler’s Nazi regime and the Games’
association with fascism, the Republican government
organized an alternative event: the People’s Olympiad
(Olimpiada Popular) in Barcelona.

Scheduled to start on July 19, 1936, the People's

Olympiad was meant to be an anti-fascist sporting
event with athletes from over 22 nations, including
Germany’s anti-Nazi exiles and teams from the USA,
France, the UK, and the Soviet Union. However, on
the morning of July 18, the military uprising reached
Barcelona, forcing the Games' cancellation. Many
foreign athletes stayed in Spain and joined Republican
militias in the early battles of the war.

Due to the civil war, Spain did not send an official delegation to the Berlin Olympics. However, individual
Spanish athletes, especially those living abroad, did compete independently or for other countries.
Meanwhile, Nazi Germany and fascist Italy began supporting Franco’s forces with military aid, seeing the
Spanish conflict as a test for their future expansionist ambitions.

6. Sports
At the 1936 Olympics, there were 19 sports featured, including:

1.ATHLETICS (TRACK AND FIELD)

Jesse Owens stood out as the winner of four

gold medals in Track and Field, defying
Hitler’s Aryan ideology
2. AQUATICS (SWIMMING, DIVING, AND WATER POLO)

3. GYMNASTICS (ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS)

4. CYCLING

5. BOXING
6. WRESTLING

7. WEIGHTLIFTING

8. FOOTBALL (SOCCER)

9. BASKETBALL
10. FIELD HOCKEY

11. FENCING

12. EQUESTRIAN

13. SHOOTING
14. MODERN PENTATHLON

15. ROWING

Washington Huskies row to glory in the 1936

Berlin Olympics, powering through history with
unmatched determination and skill.

16. SAILING (YACHTING)

17. HANDBALL
18. CANOEING

19. POLO

7. Sports that were

introduced and removed
in this edition
The 1936 Berlin Olympics saw the inclusion of several new sports, like basketball, canoeing,
and handball, each of which had a clear reason for being introduced. Basketball had grown
massively in popularity, especially in the United States, where it was becoming a major sport.
Its inclusion in the Olympics was almost inevitable, as it had already gained international
recognition, and the establishment of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) in 1932
paved the way for its Olympic debut. Similarly, canoeing had been rapidly gaining attention,
particularly in Europe, and was added to showcase a wider variety of sports, especially those
connected to nature and outdoor activities.

Handball, introduced in a field format, was a popular sport in Europe, especially in countries
like Germany and Scandinavia. Its introduction made sense in the context of the growing
European interest in the game. However, after its debut in 1936, the sport didn’t gain global
popularity, and it was removed from the Olympic program until the indoor version was
introduced in 1972.
On the other hand, polo was removed after the 1936 Games due to several reasons. The sport was
exclusive and required horses, which made it impractical for many countries that didn’t have the same
access to equestrian facilities. This, combined with the logistical challenges of organizing polo events, led
to its exclusion. It was also considered less appealing to a broader global audience compared to other
team sports like football or basketball.

These changes reflect the Olympic Committee's ongoing effort to adapt the Games to global interests.
New sports were added to increase diversity and appeal, while others were removed because of
accessibility issues or lack of international growth. The IOC’s goal was to ensure that the Olympics
remained inclusive and appealing to as many countries as possible, making sports accessible to athletes
from all backgrounds.

8. MEdal table
This is the results of the 1936 Berlin Olympics:
Country Total medals