Sport, Politics and the Olympics

In the Summer of 1936, the Nazi Olympic Games took place in Berlin, Germany. At this time,  "Nazi party leader Adolf Hitler became chancellor of Germany and quickly turned the nation's fragile democracy into a one-party dictatorship that persecuted Jews, Roma (Gypsies), all political opponents, and others"(Holocaust Encyclopedia, 2013). This was a time of extreme attempts to eliminate and cleanse Germany of any Jewish or African American people. In addition to Hitler's dictation over the political components of Germany, he also managed to dictate all sporting aspects of this time. "German sports imagery of the 1930s served to promote the myth of “Aryan” racial superiority and physical prowess" ( Holocaust Encyclopedia, 2013). Muscle tone and Aryan bone-structure was highly worshiped, especially in athletes. Only Aryans and non-Jewish Germans were allowed to partake in sport during Hitlers reign. Jews, Gypsies, and others were excluded from German sports (facilities, teams, and associations) all together. Hitler used the Olympic Games of Berlin as an opportunity to exploit his dictatorship and the power of the Nazi regime. However, In the summer of 1936, "the Nazi regime tried to camouflage its violent racist policies while it hosted the Olympics. Most anti-Jewish signs were temporarily removed and newspapers toned down their harsh rhetoric" (Holocaust Encyclopedia, 2013). This "camouflage" was in hopes to eliminate any negativity and present Germany with a peaceful image. 

Out of Eitzen and Sage's Five Political Uses of Sport, "Sport as a propaganda vehicle" defines the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. "Adolf Hitler's use of the 1936 Olympic Games was to strengthen his control over German people and to introduce Nazi culture to the entire world" (Eitzen and Sage, p198-199). This shows how Hitlers power over the Nazi regime and their success in the Olympics in effort to impress foreigners. Propaganda both influenced the politics in sport and in Germany under Hitlers reign. 

I disagree strongly with the statement "Sport is pure and devoid of political interference". The aforementioned definition of the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin was highlighted under "sport as a propaganda vehicle". If the Nazi regime and hadn't banned all Jewish citizens from participation in the Olympic Games, politics wouldn't have been involved. Political perspectives differ everywhere world-wide. Politics is easily one of the most prestigious ingredients of sport in the world and in viewing the history of the Olympic games, I think it proves to be quote evident throughout history. 


References:

The Holocaust Encyclopedia. June 10, 2013. Washington, DC. 
http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005680

Eitzen and Sage. Sport and Politics. Chapter 9.