HITLER'S OLYMPICS

HITLER'S OLYMPICS 

By Anton Rippon.

It is incredible to think that in 1936 a Germany under Adolf Hitler staged both a Winter and Summer Olympic Games, the last year that both would be hosted in the same country.

First awarded the games in 1931, it was a very different country just two years later with Hitler as Chancellor. 

During the 1930's, Germany's sportsmen and women were some of the best in Europe, if not the world. Many were also Jewish or in the case of Johann Trollman, one of the most exciting boxing prospects, a Sinti gypsy. Whilst some of the top players fled Germany after being told they would never represent Germany or even play again, the book reveals the tragic story of Trollman who would be murdered in a concentration camp.

In another difficult fact to comprehend, one such camp was built just a few miles from Berlin's Olympic stadium. 

Anton Rippon goes on to describe the political fallout from around the world towards the Third Reich's blatant antisemitic views. The United States in particular, threatened to boycott the games unless Germany lifted the ban on excluding non-Aryans, they were also not alone in wanting a new host nation to be chosen. But sadly with a mixture of propaganda, tunnel vision and a willingness to look the other way, not disrupting the Berlin games appears to have been the most important factor in the end. 

It would have to come down to the individual athletes themselves to decide whether to participate or not.

The book covers all the sporting events and results along with the occasional controversy. Off the sporting field the games would be later described as a massive propaganda victory for the Third Reich. Few felt it was a victory for the world of sport.

This has proven to be a compelling read that I have read in a little over a day. Both the political and sporting narratives were fascinating. The background stories of many of the athletes participating were remarkable and at times, tragic.

I now have a much better understanding of the story behind the games as well as the sporting events themselves.

This is certainly a book that I would recommend.

The book is available now, published by Pen and Sword Books. 

I thank P&S for this review copy.