These Olympics have been notable not only in themselves but for the effect they have had upon all who have participated in them and watched them.
These have been the biggest athletic games ever staged, the best organized, the most largely attended, the most picturesque and most productive of new and startling records.
However, that is not only all true, but it is the picture constantly impressed on one's mind as one moves from one stirring score to another, always amid a good-humored, happy crowd, always under a forest of bright-colored flags, never lost of jostled with plenteous space around and courteous guides at hand.
That is the picture foreign visitors will take home, to the undoubted improvement of world relations and general amiability. This may be only a temporary truce in the world's quarrels, a pleasant interlude in the long procession of diplomatic disagreeableness, but even at the reaction cannot help but be good and lasting.
Take the effect on the German hosts themselves. One has noted everywhere not only pride in German athletic accomplishment - which has been really notable - and the utmost satisfaction in the great achievement of staging the show itself, but equal pride in the unstinted foreign praise given that achievement.
It is quite certain that the foreign reaction was awaited here with a ceratin measure of trepidation. There is manifest anxiety for once to win foreign praise. It has been forthcoming from every quarter and the anxious hosts are happy over the fact - happy and amiable beyond reckoning. They know now they have made an excellent impression upon upon their cosmopolitan visitors. They are back in the fold of nations who have "arrived".
Going a little deeper it is perhaps true also that this contact with many nationalities and races has made the Germans more human again after four long years of a régime which, while it strengthened, tended also to harden its votaries. It might even be said that this experience has deflated the German ego a bit. They have seen here for themselves that all races are good, some in certain respects perhaps even slightly superior to the Teutonic.
These Olympics will be remembered for the amazing feats of Jesse Owens of Ohio. His friendship with German athlete Lutz Long and competitor is a model for other athletes to emulate in the future.
The Olympics used a new technology, television to mixed results. It can be very difficult to discern images at time. It is a technology that much improvement can be made upon.
Showing posts with label Sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sports. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Friday, August 11, 2006
Lima Mobs beseige German Consulate
The news announcing that Peru's 4-2 victory in soccer over Austria was ruled out by the International Football Federation in Berlin caused indignant crowds to assemble here as well as in Port Callao today to protest the decision.
As soon as the report was received, crowds running in the thousands congregated at the principal newspaper offices to await further information. The local Olympic Committee immediately took up the matter with the President of the Republic, Oscar Benavides, who instructed the committee to withdraw its delegation from the Olympic Games.
Then a shouting crowd started a march to the palace, the thousands in line clogging traffic and pausing en route to tear down the Olympic flag which was flying from the business house, the German manager of which is the Austrian consul here. The arrival of police prevented further damage.
Booing, whistling, yelling and shouting, the demonstrators reached the main square, the Plaza de Armas, where they were joined by others from the Newspaper offices. When they arrived in front of the palace, they urged the President to appear.
Accompanied by Ministers of State and military aides, President Benavides appeared and listened to the speeches. In reply, he said: "I have received cables from the Argentine, Chile, Uraguay and Mexico solidifying the Peruvian attitude against the crafty Berlin decision".
The President further recommended that the demonstrators bind themselves clamly not to imitate the unsportsmanlike Berlin decision. The President of the local games committee read the cables sent and received to the crowd, including cables from the Austrian consul and the local Nazi representative in which reconsideration of the International Federation's decision was asked.
Singing the National Anthem, the crowd continued its demonstration along the main street, where it gained further supporters. With the Chilean, Argentine, Uraguayan and Ecuadorian flags accompanying that of Peru, the crowd surged toward the Plaze San Martin, were it was addressed by various speakers.
Reforming its ranks the crowd later marched to the German consulate where is stoned windows in protest. Police arriving in trucks peacefully managed to get the crowd to disperse.
Stevedores did not work for two hours on the two vessels at Callao, the German Ammon and the Norwegian Remulus, as an act of protest, while various hundreds paraded in the streets there protesting and voicing their indignation. The Police meanwhile guarded the German Consulate.
The Afternoon papers bitterly attacked the federation's decision in the editorials. One said :"It lacks basis as a reason, the Austrians' only pretext was to eliminate the team which had a good chance to win and thereby see its national flag wave from the scene of operations."
The whole press praises the gesture of the Latin American delegations in meeting in Berlin to support the Peruvians. All is quiet here now.
As soon as the report was received, crowds running in the thousands congregated at the principal newspaper offices to await further information. The local Olympic Committee immediately took up the matter with the President of the Republic, Oscar Benavides, who instructed the committee to withdraw its delegation from the Olympic Games.
Then a shouting crowd started a march to the palace, the thousands in line clogging traffic and pausing en route to tear down the Olympic flag which was flying from the business house, the German manager of which is the Austrian consul here. The arrival of police prevented further damage.
Booing, whistling, yelling and shouting, the demonstrators reached the main square, the Plaza de Armas, where they were joined by others from the Newspaper offices. When they arrived in front of the palace, they urged the President to appear.
Accompanied by Ministers of State and military aides, President Benavides appeared and listened to the speeches. In reply, he said: "I have received cables from the Argentine, Chile, Uraguay and Mexico solidifying the Peruvian attitude against the crafty Berlin decision".
The President further recommended that the demonstrators bind themselves clamly not to imitate the unsportsmanlike Berlin decision. The President of the local games committee read the cables sent and received to the crowd, including cables from the Austrian consul and the local Nazi representative in which reconsideration of the International Federation's decision was asked.
Singing the National Anthem, the crowd continued its demonstration along the main street, where it gained further supporters. With the Chilean, Argentine, Uraguayan and Ecuadorian flags accompanying that of Peru, the crowd surged toward the Plaze San Martin, were it was addressed by various speakers.
Reforming its ranks the crowd later marched to the German consulate where is stoned windows in protest. Police arriving in trucks peacefully managed to get the crowd to disperse.
Stevedores did not work for two hours on the two vessels at Callao, the German Ammon and the Norwegian Remulus, as an act of protest, while various hundreds paraded in the streets there protesting and voicing their indignation. The Police meanwhile guarded the German Consulate.
The Afternoon papers bitterly attacked the federation's decision in the editorials. One said :"It lacks basis as a reason, the Austrians' only pretext was to eliminate the team which had a good chance to win and thereby see its national flag wave from the scene of operations."
The whole press praises the gesture of the Latin American delegations in meeting in Berlin to support the Peruvians. All is quiet here now.
Wednesday, August 9, 2006
Norway beat Germany 2-0
Gloom pervaded the German morning papers today over the event in the Post Stadium yesterday where in the presence of Chancellor Hitler, Germany's Soccer team lost to Norway, 2-0.
"How could this happen?" the sports press cries bewildered. Germany's hopes actually centered on winning the gold medal in this event. With the crack Uraguayan team out the competition, they figured themselves the Olympics' best. Norway, on the other hand, was figured as a minor contender.
So sure was Germany of victory that Hitler for the first time failed to appear in the Olympic Stadium. All German victor until now have told the German press in interviews that they thing only of the Führer when competing and outdo themselves when he's there to watch.
"How could this happen?" the sports press cries bewildered. Germany's hopes actually centered on winning the gold medal in this event. With the crack Uraguayan team out the competition, they figured themselves the Olympics' best. Norway, on the other hand, was figured as a minor contender.
So sure was Germany of victory that Hitler for the first time failed to appear in the Olympic Stadium. All German victor until now have told the German press in interviews that they thing only of the Führer when competing and outdo themselves when he's there to watch.
Monday, August 7, 2006
Racism at the Games
The victories of the Negroes of the American Olympic team are the sensation of Europe. how thoroughly the Olympic spirit has spread here is seen in the fact that to date only the Nazi newspaper Angriff has spoken of them dispairingly, and only in the government box has there been other presumptive evidence of racial feeling.
of course, carious countries react in various ways. The French are loudly enthusiastic about the Negroes' accomplishments. The English, guided perhaps by imperial considerations, are somewhat cool and inclined to depreciate their presence. The South Africans openly deprecate it.
On the other hand, the German team is ostensibly friendly. Something like a Damon and Pythias friendship has sprung up between Lutz Long, German star and Jesse Owens, outstanding member of the American team.
What may be called the social success of the American Negroes largely is due to the their own tact. They are perfectly aware threre is a race prejudice in the air and they carefully avoid places where they might not be welcome.
It should be added, however, that since his defeat by John Woodruff, Mario Lanzi, sensational Italian middle distance runner, has introduced some racial feeling in the Italian team. Lanzi's final spurt in the 800-meter race two days ago was spoiled because the two Negro leaders, Phil Edwards of Canada and Woodruff, refused to yield him the inside lane. The Italian seems to be possessed by the idea he had a right to this lane, although there is nothing in the rules entitling him to it.
Enthusiasm for the Negro contingent centers mainly around Owens. None of the others enjoys anything approaching his popularity. The German press calls Owens the super-athlete of these Games. Long has expressed the view that with more training Owens could jump 7.5 meters easily.
In private conversation the Germans tell each other that the Negro race is extraordinarily adept at running because of a certain peculiar conformation of their bones. They do, however, have the good sense to scoff at English reports that American runners have undergone certain operations on their legs to increase their speed
of course, carious countries react in various ways. The French are loudly enthusiastic about the Negroes' accomplishments. The English, guided perhaps by imperial considerations, are somewhat cool and inclined to depreciate their presence. The South Africans openly deprecate it.
On the other hand, the German team is ostensibly friendly. Something like a Damon and Pythias friendship has sprung up between Lutz Long, German star and Jesse Owens, outstanding member of the American team.
What may be called the social success of the American Negroes largely is due to the their own tact. They are perfectly aware threre is a race prejudice in the air and they carefully avoid places where they might not be welcome.
It should be added, however, that since his defeat by John Woodruff, Mario Lanzi, sensational Italian middle distance runner, has introduced some racial feeling in the Italian team. Lanzi's final spurt in the 800-meter race two days ago was spoiled because the two Negro leaders, Phil Edwards of Canada and Woodruff, refused to yield him the inside lane. The Italian seems to be possessed by the idea he had a right to this lane, although there is nothing in the rules entitling him to it.
Enthusiasm for the Negro contingent centers mainly around Owens. None of the others enjoys anything approaching his popularity. The German press calls Owens the super-athlete of these Games. Long has expressed the view that with more training Owens could jump 7.5 meters easily.
In private conversation the Germans tell each other that the Negro race is extraordinarily adept at running because of a certain peculiar conformation of their bones. They do, however, have the good sense to scoff at English reports that American runners have undergone certain operations on their legs to increase their speed
Eleanor Holm Jarrett isn't competing in Berlin?
Eleanor Holm Jarrett went for a sight-seeing stroll with a friend, met onetime Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor August Ernst at Netherlands Palace. Swimmer Jarrett reported that the onetime Crown Prince had sent her flowers. In New York, her husband, Crooner Art Jarrett, suddenly took ship for Germany.
The American Public and many sports fans worldwide would expect
Mrs. Jarrett to be in the Swimming Pool competing in the backstroke. She was suspended from the American team for setting a bad example in getting intoxicated while on the transatlantic voyage to Europe.
Mrs. Jarrett has said of her suspension, which came as a surprise to the Champion of the 1932 Los Angeles Games, this:
The American Public and many sports fans worldwide would expect
Mrs. Jarrett to be in the Swimming Pool competing in the backstroke. She was suspended from the American team for setting a bad example in getting intoxicated while on the transatlantic voyage to Europe.Mrs. Jarrett has said of her suspension, which came as a surprise to the Champion of the 1932 Los Angeles Games, this:
This chaperone came up to me and told me it was time to go to bed. God, it was about 9 o'clock, and who wanted to go down in that basement to sleep anyway? So I said to her: `Oh, is it really bedtime? Did you make the Olympic team or did I?' I had had a few glasses of Champagne. So she went to Brundage and complained that I was setting a bad example for the team, and they got together and told me the next morning that I was fired. I was heartbroken.Avery Brundage, the Team Leader, has not commented on this. Holm's Olympic teammates petitioned unsuccessfully to overturn the suspension.
Friday, August 4, 2006
Big Medal Haul for US
The United States stole away what to date had been a distinctly German show by winning four out of five medal events today. On the third day, a crowd of 90,000 gathered for the morning preliminaries, and once again another capacity throng of 110,ooo later packed the Reich Sports Field Stadium. They came to cheer for mare German victories, but remained instead to turn their hosannas in the direction of the Americans.
The invincible Jesse Owens of Ohio won the broad jump at the Olympic record distance of 8.06 meters (26' 5 21/64"). Miss Stephens walked off with the Women's 100-meter dash final in world record time. Glenn Hardin slammed to the victory in the 400-meter hurdles, and John woodruff, a freshman from the University of Pittsburgh, gave America its first 800-meter triumph in twenty-four years.
Topping the achievement of the Star-Spangled Brigade, Owens twice broke the world 200-meter mark around the turn, as well as the Olympic standard, hitting the identical figures of 21.1 seconds in both trials.
The only championship to evade the Americans' grasp was the women's discus crown. And that went to Germany as Miss Gisela Mauermayer broke the Olympic record with a toss of 47.63 meters amid the exuberant shouts of her compatriots.
But Germany's share in the harvest was a relatively minor one. The United States closed so far ahead in the race for men's track and field championship that every one else is lapped at least a full circuit beyond.
The invincible Jesse Owens of Ohio won the broad jump at the Olympic record distance of 8.06 meters (26' 5 21/64"). Miss Stephens walked off with the Women's 100-meter dash final in world record time. Glenn Hardin slammed to the victory in the 400-meter hurdles, and John woodruff, a freshman from the University of Pittsburgh, gave America its first 800-meter triumph in twenty-four years.
Topping the achievement of the Star-Spangled Brigade, Owens twice broke the world 200-meter mark around the turn, as well as the Olympic standard, hitting the identical figures of 21.1 seconds in both trials.
The only championship to evade the Americans' grasp was the women's discus crown. And that went to Germany as Miss Gisela Mauermayer broke the Olympic record with a toss of 47.63 meters amid the exuberant shouts of her compatriots.
But Germany's share in the harvest was a relatively minor one. The United States closed so far ahead in the race for men's track and field championship that every one else is lapped at least a full circuit beyond.
Americans go 1-2 in 100-Meter dash
Jesse Owens won the 100-meter dash in what seemed a date with destiny. The Buckeye Bullet beat his nearest competitor, Ralph Metcalfe of Marquette University, by a single yard. The winning time of 10.3 seconds matched his time in the first round of heats.
The Americans finished 1-2 in front of 110,000 in the Reich Sports Field Stadium. The ovation they received was loud but only a whisper compared to the cheer that Karl Hein of Germany received.
Hardly a minute after Hitler had seated himself in his box, Erwin Blask of Germany unleashed a tremendous toss of 180' 6 ½", breaking Matt McGrath's Olympic Record. Hein, however, overhauled Blask with the best any Continental hammer-thrower ever has made: 185' 4 1/16" to give Germany its own 1-2 finish. The tumultuous applause was the loudest of the day.
The record breaking did not finsh with these two finals. Miss Helen Stephens of St. Louis Missouri, striding through the first heat of the women's 100-meter sprint turned in a dazzling 11.4 second run.
This was 4/10 of a second faster than Miss Stella Walsh's listed world record and 2/10 under the Missouri girl's own American record, which has yet to be accepted internationally.
To make it more emphatic, Miss Stephens slammed into the tape of the semi-final in 11.5 seconds. Miss Kaethe Krauss of Germany, in second place was carried along sufficiently by Miss Stephens' blinding speed to equal Miss Walsh's Olympic figure of 11.9 seconds.
It was a great day for sport as the United States took command of the men's track and field race for the first time with a total of 46 points to 31 ¼ for Germany and Finland's 30 ¼ points. But if one elects to score the women's tests with the men's than Germany, moving along the wings of a sport renaissance deeply rooted in nationalistic fervor, is at the head of the parade with 47 ¼ points.
German nationalism and the prejudice that seems to go with it revealed themselves somewhat disagreeably this afternoon. On the surface all was serene. The Führer apparently played no favorite. He did not publicly receive the winning Germans nor did he decide to greet decidedly non-Aryan Americans, Owens and Metcalfe.
But an investigation by some who had taken his departure yesterday to mean he did not want to shake hands with non-Aryan high jumpers, Cornelius Johnson and David Albritton. This investigation produced information which seemed collaborative. In the seclusion of his quarters under the stands the Reich's dictator did congratulate Hein and Blask, the hammer-throwers. Perhaps two and two makes four after all. If Hitler is going to avoid the African-Americans, he is going to have his work cut out for him.
From a general sporting standpoint, however, there could be no taking the play away from Owens. He left the stadium last night in the belief that he had broken the world record with his 10.2 time. But the usually efficient Germans have an annoying roundabout way of getting the news to the newspaper men and the athletes.
It was discovered this morning that Owen's new mark had been disallowed because of a following wind. Whether he or Miss Stephens will have the same experience tomorrow cannot be guessed. From the stands the breeze looked like a crosswind, but one can never tell about those things.
Owens won today because in truth he is the world's fastest human. No one ever ran a more perfect race. His start was perfect, his in-between running was perfect and his finish perfect.
The Buckeye Bullet ripped out of his starting holes as though slungby a giant catapult. He was ahead in his first stride and let the Osendarp and Wykoff battle behind him for what left of the race.
Metcalfe, hardly the best starter in the world, was off in atrocious fashion. He was sixth in the six man field in the getaway, but once in his stride he certainly moved. By sixty meters he had drawn up even with Hollander and begun to cut down the two yard advantage Owens had on him.
It was then a speed duel between the streamlined express and the old-fashioned steam engine that exuded sheer, rugged power. Metcalfe cut those two yards to one at the wire, but it was as close as he could get, losing by a yard a championship that had eluded him four years before by a hair.
The Americans finished 1-2 in front of 110,000 in the Reich Sports Field Stadium. The ovation they received was loud but only a whisper compared to the cheer that Karl Hein of Germany received.
Hardly a minute after Hitler had seated himself in his box, Erwin Blask of Germany unleashed a tremendous toss of 180' 6 ½", breaking Matt McGrath's Olympic Record. Hein, however, overhauled Blask with the best any Continental hammer-thrower ever has made: 185' 4 1/16" to give Germany its own 1-2 finish. The tumultuous applause was the loudest of the day.
The record breaking did not finsh with these two finals. Miss Helen Stephens of St. Louis Missouri, striding through the first heat of the women's 100-meter sprint turned in a dazzling 11.4 second run.
This was 4/10 of a second faster than Miss Stella Walsh's listed world record and 2/10 under the Missouri girl's own American record, which has yet to be accepted internationally.
To make it more emphatic, Miss Stephens slammed into the tape of the semi-final in 11.5 seconds. Miss Kaethe Krauss of Germany, in second place was carried along sufficiently by Miss Stephens' blinding speed to equal Miss Walsh's Olympic figure of 11.9 seconds.
It was a great day for sport as the United States took command of the men's track and field race for the first time with a total of 46 points to 31 ¼ for Germany and Finland's 30 ¼ points. But if one elects to score the women's tests with the men's than Germany, moving along the wings of a sport renaissance deeply rooted in nationalistic fervor, is at the head of the parade with 47 ¼ points.
German nationalism and the prejudice that seems to go with it revealed themselves somewhat disagreeably this afternoon. On the surface all was serene. The Führer apparently played no favorite. He did not publicly receive the winning Germans nor did he decide to greet decidedly non-Aryan Americans, Owens and Metcalfe.
But an investigation by some who had taken his departure yesterday to mean he did not want to shake hands with non-Aryan high jumpers, Cornelius Johnson and David Albritton. This investigation produced information which seemed collaborative. In the seclusion of his quarters under the stands the Reich's dictator did congratulate Hein and Blask, the hammer-throwers. Perhaps two and two makes four after all. If Hitler is going to avoid the African-Americans, he is going to have his work cut out for him.
From a general sporting standpoint, however, there could be no taking the play away from Owens. He left the stadium last night in the belief that he had broken the world record with his 10.2 time. But the usually efficient Germans have an annoying roundabout way of getting the news to the newspaper men and the athletes.
It was discovered this morning that Owen's new mark had been disallowed because of a following wind. Whether he or Miss Stephens will have the same experience tomorrow cannot be guessed. From the stands the breeze looked like a crosswind, but one can never tell about those things.
Owens won today because in truth he is the world's fastest human. No one ever ran a more perfect race. His start was perfect, his in-between running was perfect and his finish perfect.
The Buckeye Bullet ripped out of his starting holes as though slungby a giant catapult. He was ahead in his first stride and let the Osendarp and Wykoff battle behind him for what left of the race.
Metcalfe, hardly the best starter in the world, was off in atrocious fashion. He was sixth in the six man field in the getaway, but once in his stride he certainly moved. By sixty meters he had drawn up even with Hollander and begun to cut down the two yard advantage Owens had on him.
It was then a speed duel between the streamlined express and the old-fashioned steam engine that exuded sheer, rugged power. Metcalfe cut those two yards to one at the wire, but it was as close as he could get, losing by a yard a championship that had eluded him four years before by a hair.
Thursday, August 3, 2006
Jesse Owens breaks records
Jesse Owens of Ohio is one very good runner. Here in Berlin, he is just beginning to show how good he is to the rest of the world.
During the well-attended first round heats for the 100 meter dash, he managed to break the Olympic record with a of 10.3 seconds. Then, in the afternoon he broke his own record with a 10.2 second showing. Victory for him tomorrow in the final seems to be merely his for the asking.
In the first round, the only runner who threatened was Osendarp of the Netherlands at 10.5 seconds. Then in the quarter-finals Strandberg of Sweden outsprinted the Netherlander with Wykoff placing third.
Some of the stars who were expected to do well have been eliminated. Yoshopka of Japan, Grimbeck and Theunissen of South Africa Berger of the Netherlands and Fondevilla of Argentina have all been close to the world record mark this year but did not make the final cut.
During the well-attended first round heats for the 100 meter dash, he managed to break the Olympic record with a of 10.3 seconds. Then, in the afternoon he broke his own record with a 10.2 second showing. Victory for him tomorrow in the final seems to be merely his for the asking.
In the first round, the only runner who threatened was Osendarp of the Netherlands at 10.5 seconds. Then in the quarter-finals Strandberg of Sweden outsprinted the Netherlander with Wykoff placing third.
Some of the stars who were expected to do well have been eliminated. Yoshopka of Japan, Grimbeck and Theunissen of South Africa Berger of the Netherlands and Fondevilla of Argentina have all been close to the world record mark this year but did not make the final cut.
Hitler receives Olympians; snubs Americans
Miss Hilde (Tilly) Fleischer won the women's javelin throw and also broke the Olympic record. For once Germany's cup of joy was filled to overflowing.
The crowd was off to a good start in its applause of the Reich athletes when Miss Fleischer winged out the javelin on her first throw. And when she climbed to the victory pedestal she stood with arms outstretched in the Nazi salute to Hitler, tears in her eyes and a lump in her throat. To her went the distinction of being the first Olympic champion of 1936.
Chancellor Hitler himself witnessed the victories. With a group of State officials and National Socialist party leaders, including Julius Streicher, he spent the afternoon watching the games. He greeted the victors with a warm handclasp and a friendly pat on the back, while the welkin rang with the frenzied cheers of the spectators.
Americans also had great results for the day. Just as the setting sun dipped behind the concrete ramparts of the huge stadium America came in for her share of the glory. Cornelius Johnson, the kangaroo-legged Negro from California, won the high jump and in keeping with the general trend of things shattered the Olympic record too. This event was a slam for the United States, because Ave Albritton, Ohio State Negro, and Delos Thurber of Southern California took the other two medals.
But for politically minded persons in the crowd there was one rather disquieting incident connected with the march of these three Americans to the victory pedestal. The Führer had greeted all three medalists in other events -- the Germans and the Finns -- with a handclasp and words of congratulation. But five minutes before the United States jumpers moved in for the ceremony of the Olympic triumph Hitler left his box.
Johnson and Albritton are Negroes. None of the others were. Press box interpreters of this step chose to put two and two together. But there will be enough future Negro winners to warrant delaying passing judgment for the present.
- NYT
The crowd was off to a good start in its applause of the Reich athletes when Miss Fleischer winged out the javelin on her first throw. And when she climbed to the victory pedestal she stood with arms outstretched in the Nazi salute to Hitler, tears in her eyes and a lump in her throat. To her went the distinction of being the first Olympic champion of 1936.
Chancellor Hitler himself witnessed the victories. With a group of State officials and National Socialist party leaders, including Julius Streicher, he spent the afternoon watching the games. He greeted the victors with a warm handclasp and a friendly pat on the back, while the welkin rang with the frenzied cheers of the spectators.
Americans also had great results for the day. Just as the setting sun dipped behind the concrete ramparts of the huge stadium America came in for her share of the glory. Cornelius Johnson, the kangaroo-legged Negro from California, won the high jump and in keeping with the general trend of things shattered the Olympic record too. This event was a slam for the United States, because Ave Albritton, Ohio State Negro, and Delos Thurber of Southern California took the other two medals.
But for politically minded persons in the crowd there was one rather disquieting incident connected with the march of these three Americans to the victory pedestal. The Führer had greeted all three medalists in other events -- the Germans and the Finns -- with a handclasp and words of congratulation. But five minutes before the United States jumpers moved in for the ceremony of the Olympic triumph Hitler left his box.
Johnson and Albritton are Negroes. None of the others were. Press box interpreters of this step chose to put two and two together. But there will be enough future Negro winners to warrant delaying passing judgment for the present.
- NYT
Berlin Happy & Festive
Berliners are enjoying their 16 days of Olympic fun. The Games of the XI Olympiad go on as the citizens of this beautiful city go about their lives and join in the festivities.
The mood is gay and festive. Many Berliners are enjoying themselves. It has been said that that not since the first Sunday after Armistice have Berliners been as jubilant.
Even those not in attendance, there are loudspeakers all over Berlin announcing the results of events. Clustered around many of these loudspeakers, Berliners wait to hear how their countrymen have fared.
The Germans did not have long to wait for their first Olympic Champion. Miss Fleischer provided that in the Javelin contest.
Germany also had a champion when Hans Woellke won the shot-put earlier yesterday. Woellke threw the ball 53' 1 13/16" to surpass Leo Sextons Olympic record of 52' 6 3/16".
Sula Baerlund of Finland took silver and Gerhard Stoek, another German, took bronze. Sam Francis of Nebraska finished just out of the medals and Jack Torrance, Louisiana's state record holder, was fifth. Dimitri Zaitz of Boston College finished sixth.
The mood is gay and festive. Many Berliners are enjoying themselves. It has been said that that not since the first Sunday after Armistice have Berliners been as jubilant.
Even those not in attendance, there are loudspeakers all over Berlin announcing the results of events. Clustered around many of these loudspeakers, Berliners wait to hear how their countrymen have fared.
The Germans did not have long to wait for their first Olympic Champion. Miss Fleischer provided that in the Javelin contest.
Germany also had a champion when Hans Woellke won the shot-put earlier yesterday. Woellke threw the ball 53' 1 13/16" to surpass Leo Sextons Olympic record of 52' 6 3/16".
Sula Baerlund of Finland took silver and Gerhard Stoek, another German, took bronze. Sam Francis of Nebraska finished just out of the medals and Jack Torrance, Louisiana's state record holder, was fifth. Dimitri Zaitz of Boston College finished sixth.
Wednesday, August 2, 2006
The Opening Ceremonies of the XIth Olympiad
A gray sky that threatened rain without ever really fulfilling that threat towered today over the Opening Ceremonies of the 11th Olympic Games of modern times. It was not a misfortune, because there stood out in sharper relief all the brilliant coloring of this most picturesque of ceremonies, which comes only once ever four years.
The picture against this gray background was the huge expanse of the world's newest and biggest stadium and the great throng of 110,000 that filled the gray stone benches. In the arena below, the greenest of lawns was cut by the running track of red cinders. At each end wide granite stairways leading to the skyline were broken only by the twin stone clock towers and the unadorned flagpoles.
At one side was an orchestra, reinforced by the drums and bugles of a half-dozen military bands, and above them was a choir of a thousand, all in white. At the other side a line of gray benches was broken by a square, outstanding platform, equipped with microphones for the Caesar of this era, the German Führer, and his entourage. Below that was a little forest of chairs for the Ambassadors and special envoys of nations.
As the ceremonies continued, a little girl in blue, her fair hair bound by a chaplet of flowers, came forward and, making a German curtsey, gave the Führer a bouquet of roses. He touched her hair and evidently spoke gently to her while Count Henri de Baillet-Latour took her by the hand and led her with the notables in frock coats and top hats to the Caesar's dais. The assembly remained standing still, vociferating in a chorus of "heils". The Germans in unison saluted their beloved Führer.
The bands broke into "Deutchland Uber Alles" then into the Nazi anthem, the "Horst-Wessel Song" as the notables took their places. Theodor Lewald, head of the German Olympic Committee gave up his chair of honor to the Italian Crown Prince.
On a flagpole, the Olympic Flag—white with five interlocking circles representing the five continents—was slowly raised. Outside the stadium, guns boomed.
First item on the program was the parade. The Olympic Bell tolled a deep note. The bell is inscribed with the words "I summon the youth of the world." As if to answer the bell's summons, into the stadium marched the athletes. Leading, because their country started the Olympic Games in 776 B. C., were the Greeks. Next, at the head of the German alphabetical list were the Egyptians. Loudest applause went to Austrians who gave the Nazi salute, to goose-stepping Bulgarians (who also rendered the Nazi salute to the delight of the German spectators), to a Swiss flag-bearer who did juggling tricks. English athletes got few cheers.
Next to last, the US team members saluted Realmleader Hitler by placing their straw hats over their hearts( as did the Philippines and China). The Americans were also the only country not lower their flag when passing the Führer. They kept their flag aloft proudly. An official statement published in all the newspapers, however, explained this as due to Army regulations and for public understanding in the matter.
For the Americans, the crowd shouted, whistled, clapped in unison. The American athletes were received somewhat coolly. The audience was notably subdued when they entered. Some European observers noted a noisy whistling that was suggestive of the "Bronx Cheer".
The noise soon died when the German team became visible at the Marathon Gate, where the teams entered. The bands ceased to play the march they had been playing and went in impassioned performances of "Deutschland Uber Ales" and the "Horst-Wessel Song" all over again. The German audience rose in silent attention. They did not wish for the American team to applauded.
As for the attire of the athletes, there was many an ensemble. The Americans looked crip[s in their white flannel trousers, their white shoes, dark blue blazers and straw hats with the national arms on the front of the blue hatband. The Egyptians wore red fezes above similar dress. Australia was in dark green and white. The Belgians were picturesque in all-gray flannels.
The Bermudans and Chinese wore white sun helmets, while the Colombians were clad in gray trousers and bright blue blazers. The Danes marched resplendent in rose and white. The British were bare headed but dressed otherwise in American fashion. So were the French. The Canadians were in red and white and gave the Olympic salute. The Italians wore black shirts over white trousers. The Germans were in all white. The officers in the parade who are to take part in the cavalry competitions all wore their national uniforms.
Germany provided the contingent of athletes. The United States with some 400 athletes, was the second largest, with France, Italy and Great Britain come next in order. Both Haiti and Costa Rica sent a single person apiece who also bore their flag for their respective nations. Honors in marching when wholly to the German, who moved like a great machine.
At last the Parade was ended and some 5,000 athletes from 52 nations came to rest on the green infield before the Führer, Dr. Lewald, made a 20-minute speech to introduce Herr Hitler, who, dressed in a brown uniform, had arrived an hour before. He addressed Hitler "respectfully and gratefully as the protector of these Olympic Games to be held in this stadium, built according to your will and purpose" invited him to declare them open.
Adolf Hitler stopped chatting with his good friend Cinemactress Leni Riefenstahl, official Olympic photographer, long enough to speak a racial comment. Said he: "In a few minutes, the torch bearer will appear to light the Olympic fire on his tripod, when it will rise, flaming to heaven, for the weeks of this festival. It creates a real and spiritual bond of fire between our German fatherland and the sacred places of Greece founded nearly 4,000 years ago by Nordic immigrants.
"Only so long as sport isn't allowed to become an end is itself but, on the contrary, a moral duty, only so long as it isn't merely an empty pleasure or the desire for thrills, but discipline and devotion to a higher ideal, dare it to be the object of such a festival."
After a pause, De Lewald announced that only the day before, the Olympic Committee decided to make the "Olympic Hymn" used at these games, the hymn for all future meets and expressed thanks to Richard Strauss for having created it.
At the end of Dr. Lewald speech, Herr Hitler stepped forward once more and fullfilled his sole duty of these game saying "I proclaim open the Olympic Games of Berlin, celebrating the XIth Olympiad of the modern era."
Then Trumpets sounded across the arena and 3,000 white pegeons flew into the air. A white clad chorus then sang the "Olympic Hymn". The Hinderburg flew over the stadium trailing the large white Olympic flag behind it.
Atop the staircase at the East gate appeared the last runner of the 3,000 who had relayed the Olympic Flame from Olympia in Greece. This last runner, Fritz Schilgen, scampered down the steps, paddled across the arena, trotted up the west stairs to a platform, dipped his torch. The Olympic Fire flared up from its bowl.
After the ceremony of the Olympic Torch came the Olympic Oath.The 52 flag-bearers formed a semicircle in front of the reviewing stand. German Weightlifter Rudolf Ismayr mounted a tiny rostrum, recited through amplifiers so everyone could hear: "We swear that we will take part in the Olympic Games in loyal competition, respecting the regulations which govern them and desirous of participating in them in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the honor of our country and the glory of sport." A German choir sang Handel's Hallelujah Chorus.
On the bulletin board which will proclaim the results of the competitions appeared the words of Baron de Coubertin, who revived the Olympic games in their present form:"The important thing is not to win but to take part. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought to win."
Then gnarled old Spiridon Loues, Greek shepherd and marathon runner, wearing his national costume, who won the Olympic race in 1896, wobbled out of the ranks to present Herr Hitler with an olive branch. Mr. Loues said to the Chancellor "I present to you this olive branch as a symbol of love and peace. We hope that the nations will ever meet solely in such peaceful competition. Hitler receiving it with obvious emotion, thanked him heartily and shook hands with him. Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" resounded once more and brought the ceremony to a close and the athletes marched slowly out.
As for the performance, written by Dr. Carl Diem, secretary of the Olympic Organization Committee. There had been a request from Baron de Coubertin to include Beethoven's Ninth Symphony which includes a musical setting for Friedrich von Schiller's stirring "Ode to Joy". Dr. Diem went further and wrote a pageant in five acts on the romantic theme of youth.
The first scene opened just after nightfall. No performers appeared at first. There were seen only two great choruses grouped in the shadows. From the tower above Marathon Gate were first heard the trumpets playing the "Welcome Song".
Then entered 3,000 little girls in white dresses and 900 boys in Olympic colors, from whose masses came the faint notes of glass chimes. The children danced finally forming the Olympic flag.
Then the chimes of the Potsdam Church, where Frederick the Great is buried were heard and the two choirs sang a hymn titled "Eternal Olympia" This was composed for the occasion by the German musician Werner Egk.
Following the children, came 2,000 older girls who danced as a chorus to a solo waltz by Talutta. Five hundred more girls from a noted gymnastics school then gave a demonstration of rhythmic dancing until "The Voice of the Mother" summoned them to be serious, and chorus answered in unison.
The next scene showed groups of boys from various nations engaging in games about a series of bonfires until the fires were hurried away, and the boys disappeared at the blast of a trumpet. Then the spotlights were concentrated on the ceremonial steps leading down into the stadium from Marathon Gate.
A group of 1,200 youths descended these stairs carrying silken flags of all nations. Swiss flag bearers gave a demonstration of their art of flag swinging. Then, when the flag bearers all had descended into the stadium, they raised their hands in the Olympic salute and with the chorus sang a hymn.
A sword dance followed in which both dancers died in rhythmic agony. The moral of this scene was supposedly that modern war destroys the visitor and the vanquished. After that 80 girls danced the "Dance of the Mourners".
But this led to the first bars of the 4th and final movement of Beethoven's cherished Ninth Symphony. A voice was heard reciting Schiller's famous poem. A chorus of 1,000 voices joined in. The 6,000 performers who had taken part in the previous scenes streamed into the field, joined hands and embraced. The flags of the nations taking part in the games were raised around the stadium. Lighted torches formed a ring of fire about its outer edge and the searchlights were thrown
onto the 1,200 flags of nations which reappeared on the field as a signal the pageant was over.
During the day Hitler was subjected to continuous ovations. I nthe newly paved square in front of the Chancellory, in the Wilhelmstrausse, thousands stood for hours ot cheer him. Again and again he had to appear on the balcony overlooking the square to wave responses to the frenzied adulation.
Biggest and noisiest in history, the 1936 Olympics are scheduled to last for 16 days. Five thousand athletes from 50 countries will compete in 22 sports, watched by 3,500,000 spectators, recorded by 1,500 reporters. To accommodate all this, Berlin, cheated of the 1916 Olympics by the War, spent $24,000,000 on municipal improvements; a 325-acre Reichssportfeld including four stadiums, an outdoor theatre, basketball courts, pools, a polo field, a gymnasium; and an Olympic Village conveniently close to Staaken Airport which can use it for barracks when the Games are over.
The picture against this gray background was the huge expanse of the world's newest and biggest stadium and the great throng of 110,000 that filled the gray stone benches. In the arena below, the greenest of lawns was cut by the running track of red cinders. At each end wide granite stairways leading to the skyline were broken only by the twin stone clock towers and the unadorned flagpoles.
At one side was an orchestra, reinforced by the drums and bugles of a half-dozen military bands, and above them was a choir of a thousand, all in white. At the other side a line of gray benches was broken by a square, outstanding platform, equipped with microphones for the Caesar of this era, the German Führer, and his entourage. Below that was a little forest of chairs for the Ambassadors and special envoys of nations.
As the ceremonies continued, a little girl in blue, her fair hair bound by a chaplet of flowers, came forward and, making a German curtsey, gave the Führer a bouquet of roses. He touched her hair and evidently spoke gently to her while Count Henri de Baillet-Latour took her by the hand and led her with the notables in frock coats and top hats to the Caesar's dais. The assembly remained standing still, vociferating in a chorus of "heils". The Germans in unison saluted their beloved Führer.The bands broke into "Deutchland Uber Alles" then into the Nazi anthem, the "Horst-Wessel Song" as the notables took their places. Theodor Lewald, head of the German Olympic Committee gave up his chair of honor to the Italian Crown Prince.
On a flagpole, the Olympic Flag—white with five interlocking circles representing the five continents—was slowly raised. Outside the stadium, guns boomed.
First item on the program was the parade. The Olympic Bell tolled a deep note. The bell is inscribed with the words "I summon the youth of the world." As if to answer the bell's summons, into the stadium marched the athletes. Leading, because their country started the Olympic Games in 776 B. C., were the Greeks. Next, at the head of the German alphabetical list were the Egyptians. Loudest applause went to Austrians who gave the Nazi salute, to goose-stepping Bulgarians (who also rendered the Nazi salute to the delight of the German spectators), to a Swiss flag-bearer who did juggling tricks. English athletes got few cheers.
Next to last, the US team members saluted Realmleader Hitler by placing their straw hats over their hearts( as did the Philippines and China). The Americans were also the only country not lower their flag when passing the Führer. They kept their flag aloft proudly. An official statement published in all the newspapers, however, explained this as due to Army regulations and for public understanding in the matter.
For the Americans, the crowd shouted, whistled, clapped in unison. The American athletes were received somewhat coolly. The audience was notably subdued when they entered. Some European observers noted a noisy whistling that was suggestive of the "Bronx Cheer".
The noise soon died when the German team became visible at the Marathon Gate, where the teams entered. The bands ceased to play the march they had been playing and went in impassioned performances of "Deutschland Uber Ales" and the "Horst-Wessel Song" all over again. The German audience rose in silent attention. They did not wish for the American team to applauded.
As for the attire of the athletes, there was many an ensemble. The Americans looked crip[s in their white flannel trousers, their white shoes, dark blue blazers and straw hats with the national arms on the front of the blue hatband. The Egyptians wore red fezes above similar dress. Australia was in dark green and white. The Belgians were picturesque in all-gray flannels.
The Bermudans and Chinese wore white sun helmets, while the Colombians were clad in gray trousers and bright blue blazers. The Danes marched resplendent in rose and white. The British were bare headed but dressed otherwise in American fashion. So were the French. The Canadians were in red and white and gave the Olympic salute. The Italians wore black shirts over white trousers. The Germans were in all white. The officers in the parade who are to take part in the cavalry competitions all wore their national uniforms.
Germany provided the contingent of athletes. The United States with some 400 athletes, was the second largest, with France, Italy and Great Britain come next in order. Both Haiti and Costa Rica sent a single person apiece who also bore their flag for their respective nations. Honors in marching when wholly to the German, who moved like a great machine.
At last the Parade was ended and some 5,000 athletes from 52 nations came to rest on the green infield before the Führer, Dr. Lewald, made a 20-minute speech to introduce Herr Hitler, who, dressed in a brown uniform, had arrived an hour before. He addressed Hitler "respectfully and gratefully as the protector of these Olympic Games to be held in this stadium, built according to your will and purpose" invited him to declare them open.
Adolf Hitler stopped chatting with his good friend Cinemactress Leni Riefenstahl, official Olympic photographer, long enough to speak a racial comment. Said he: "In a few minutes, the torch bearer will appear to light the Olympic fire on his tripod, when it will rise, flaming to heaven, for the weeks of this festival. It creates a real and spiritual bond of fire between our German fatherland and the sacred places of Greece founded nearly 4,000 years ago by Nordic immigrants.
"Only so long as sport isn't allowed to become an end is itself but, on the contrary, a moral duty, only so long as it isn't merely an empty pleasure or the desire for thrills, but discipline and devotion to a higher ideal, dare it to be the object of such a festival."
After a pause, De Lewald announced that only the day before, the Olympic Committee decided to make the "Olympic Hymn" used at these games, the hymn for all future meets and expressed thanks to Richard Strauss for having created it.
At the end of Dr. Lewald speech, Herr Hitler stepped forward once more and fullfilled his sole duty of these game saying "I proclaim open the Olympic Games of Berlin, celebrating the XIth Olympiad of the modern era."
Then Trumpets sounded across the arena and 3,000 white pegeons flew into the air. A white clad chorus then sang the "Olympic Hymn". The Hinderburg flew over the stadium trailing the large white Olympic flag behind it.
Atop the staircase at the East gate appeared the last runner of the 3,000 who had relayed the Olympic Flame from Olympia in Greece. This last runner, Fritz Schilgen, scampered down the steps, paddled across the arena, trotted up the west stairs to a platform, dipped his torch. The Olympic Fire flared up from its bowl.
After the ceremony of the Olympic Torch came the Olympic Oath.The 52 flag-bearers formed a semicircle in front of the reviewing stand. German Weightlifter Rudolf Ismayr mounted a tiny rostrum, recited through amplifiers so everyone could hear: "We swear that we will take part in the Olympic Games in loyal competition, respecting the regulations which govern them and desirous of participating in them in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the honor of our country and the glory of sport." A German choir sang Handel's Hallelujah Chorus.On the bulletin board which will proclaim the results of the competitions appeared the words of Baron de Coubertin, who revived the Olympic games in their present form:"The important thing is not to win but to take part. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought to win."
Then gnarled old Spiridon Loues, Greek shepherd and marathon runner, wearing his national costume, who won the Olympic race in 1896, wobbled out of the ranks to present Herr Hitler with an olive branch. Mr. Loues said to the Chancellor "I present to you this olive branch as a symbol of love and peace. We hope that the nations will ever meet solely in such peaceful competition. Hitler receiving it with obvious emotion, thanked him heartily and shook hands with him. Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" resounded once more and brought the ceremony to a close and the athletes marched slowly out.
As for the performance, written by Dr. Carl Diem, secretary of the Olympic Organization Committee. There had been a request from Baron de Coubertin to include Beethoven's Ninth Symphony which includes a musical setting for Friedrich von Schiller's stirring "Ode to Joy". Dr. Diem went further and wrote a pageant in five acts on the romantic theme of youth.
The first scene opened just after nightfall. No performers appeared at first. There were seen only two great choruses grouped in the shadows. From the tower above Marathon Gate were first heard the trumpets playing the "Welcome Song".
Then entered 3,000 little girls in white dresses and 900 boys in Olympic colors, from whose masses came the faint notes of glass chimes. The children danced finally forming the Olympic flag.
Then the chimes of the Potsdam Church, where Frederick the Great is buried were heard and the two choirs sang a hymn titled "Eternal Olympia" This was composed for the occasion by the German musician Werner Egk.
Following the children, came 2,000 older girls who danced as a chorus to a solo waltz by Talutta. Five hundred more girls from a noted gymnastics school then gave a demonstration of rhythmic dancing until "The Voice of the Mother" summoned them to be serious, and chorus answered in unison.
The next scene showed groups of boys from various nations engaging in games about a series of bonfires until the fires were hurried away, and the boys disappeared at the blast of a trumpet. Then the spotlights were concentrated on the ceremonial steps leading down into the stadium from Marathon Gate.
A group of 1,200 youths descended these stairs carrying silken flags of all nations. Swiss flag bearers gave a demonstration of their art of flag swinging. Then, when the flag bearers all had descended into the stadium, they raised their hands in the Olympic salute and with the chorus sang a hymn.
A sword dance followed in which both dancers died in rhythmic agony. The moral of this scene was supposedly that modern war destroys the visitor and the vanquished. After that 80 girls danced the "Dance of the Mourners".
But this led to the first bars of the 4th and final movement of Beethoven's cherished Ninth Symphony. A voice was heard reciting Schiller's famous poem. A chorus of 1,000 voices joined in. The 6,000 performers who had taken part in the previous scenes streamed into the field, joined hands and embraced. The flags of the nations taking part in the games were raised around the stadium. Lighted torches formed a ring of fire about its outer edge and the searchlights were thrown
onto the 1,200 flags of nations which reappeared on the field as a signal the pageant was over.During the day Hitler was subjected to continuous ovations. I nthe newly paved square in front of the Chancellory, in the Wilhelmstrausse, thousands stood for hours ot cheer him. Again and again he had to appear on the balcony overlooking the square to wave responses to the frenzied adulation.
Biggest and noisiest in history, the 1936 Olympics are scheduled to last for 16 days. Five thousand athletes from 50 countries will compete in 22 sports, watched by 3,500,000 spectators, recorded by 1,500 reporters. To accommodate all this, Berlin, cheated of the 1916 Olympics by the War, spent $24,000,000 on municipal improvements; a 325-acre Reichssportfeld including four stadiums, an outdoor theatre, basketball courts, pools, a polo field, a gymnasium; and an Olympic Village conveniently close to Staaken Airport which can use it for barracks when the Games are over.
The Olympics open in Berlin
Yesterday, Germany and the rest of the world celebrated the opening of the Olympics. The world took a few hours out of the tension of fascism and civil war to enjoy the opening ceremony in Berlin's Olympic Stadium, built just for this spectacle.
Questions of whether Jewish athletes would be treated fairly have been around since Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Power ascended to power in early 1933. The United States debated whether to boycott the games three years ago. President Roosevelt dismissed this and demanded that the United States participate in the games. He remarked that it was traditional that the United States was beyond external influence. He would not allow the German political differences to influence the participation of American athletes in the greatest sporting spectacle of the Globe. Many doubts and questions still linger for much of the world.
There have been reports and photos of signs informing Jews of prohibitions. These signs were not to be seen throughout Germany. The Nazi authorities may have taken them down for an International audience that does not favor the Nazi beliefs against Jews and the International Jewry itself.
Questions of whether Jewish athletes would be treated fairly have been around since Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Power ascended to power in early 1933. The United States debated whether to boycott the games three years ago. President Roosevelt dismissed this and demanded that the United States participate in the games. He remarked that it was traditional that the United States was beyond external influence. He would not allow the German political differences to influence the participation of American athletes in the greatest sporting spectacle of the Globe. Many doubts and questions still linger for much of the world.
There have been reports and photos of signs informing Jews of prohibitions. These signs were not to be seen throughout Germany. The Nazi authorities may have taken them down for an International audience that does not favor the Nazi beliefs against Jews and the International Jewry itself.
Tuesday, August 1, 2006
Tokyo to host 1940 Olympics
The Japanese public was woken today when at 6 AM, there was a radio announcement to inform them Tokyo had been selected to host the next Olympics in 1940. The result gives the Japanese enormous pleasure. The Japanese people have become one of the world's most sport-minded people in the last twenty years.
Yesterday, the International Olympic Committee voted to award the 12th Olympic Games to Tokyo. The runner up was Helskinki, Finland.
The Mayor of Tokyo will launch an elaborate program of municipal festivities to express the citizens' joy and incidentally whip up enthusiasm for the great effort to give Tokyo the latest and finest equipment.
Potential champions are already training. last night, despite temperature of 96°F and a humidity correspondingly high, a crowd of youths were practicing not just track events but javelin and discus throwing as well.
Plans for enlarging sports accommodations at a cost of ¥10,000,000 already exist as blueprints. The existing track and field stadium will be enlarged so that it will seat 120,000. A new playing field, seating 50,000 will be built, and a swimming pool accommodating 30,000 spectators is to be provided.
An entirely new Equestrian Track will be constructed in a Tokyo suburb in addition to a new indoor arena for boxing and wrestling. The yachting contests will be held off Yokohama and a new regatta course is being prepared there. A purely native addition will be a display of Japanese fencing, wrestling and archery.
An Olympic Village will be constructed in Tanagawa, thirty minutes from the city.
The Games are scheduled to run from July 20th through August 4th, 1940. The 11th Olympics open today in Berlin.
Yesterday, the International Olympic Committee voted to award the 12th Olympic Games to Tokyo. The runner up was Helskinki, Finland.
The Mayor of Tokyo will launch an elaborate program of municipal festivities to express the citizens' joy and incidentally whip up enthusiasm for the great effort to give Tokyo the latest and finest equipment.
Potential champions are already training. last night, despite temperature of 96°F and a humidity correspondingly high, a crowd of youths were practicing not just track events but javelin and discus throwing as well.
Plans for enlarging sports accommodations at a cost of ¥10,000,000 already exist as blueprints. The existing track and field stadium will be enlarged so that it will seat 120,000. A new playing field, seating 50,000 will be built, and a swimming pool accommodating 30,000 spectators is to be provided.
An entirely new Equestrian Track will be constructed in a Tokyo suburb in addition to a new indoor arena for boxing and wrestling. The yachting contests will be held off Yokohama and a new regatta course is being prepared there. A purely native addition will be a display of Japanese fencing, wrestling and archery.
An Olympic Village will be constructed in Tanagawa, thirty minutes from the city.
The Games are scheduled to run from July 20th through August 4th, 1940. The 11th Olympics open today in Berlin.
Tuesday, December 2, 2003
Americans question participation in 1936 Olympic Games
When the American Olympic Association met last week in Washington everyone knew it would be asked to do something about the status of German Jewish athletes and the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. When the meeting adjourned, many a delegate was still not clear as to exactly what he had done.
The question was first formulated in the annual convention of the Amateur Athletic Union at Pittsburgh, immediately preceding the Olympic meeting. There bald, white-fringed Gustavus Town Kirby took the floor. He recalled the meeting of the International Olympic Committee last June at Vienna, where German delegates promised not to exclude Jews from their teams. Since then, said Mr. Kirby, Jews had not only been barred from teams but by various Nazi rules had even been prevented from training. He offered a resolution calling upon the American Olympic Association to refuse to send a U. S. team to Berlin "unless the [German attitude] is so changed in fact as well as in theory as to both permit and encourage German athletes of Jewish faith or heritage to train, prepare for and participate in the Olympic Games of 1936." The resolution was loudly adopted. On to Washington marched the A. A. U.'s delegates.
Meanwhile the German Olympic Committee retorted that its Vienna pledge would be strictly observed, denied that any discrimination against Jewish athletes was contemplated. But the American Olympic Association had ample evidence of discrimination, not by Government decree but by Nazi-dominated athletic organizations. Boxing clubs banned Jews altogether. In hockey, Jews were removed from the first three teams. According to the Ullstein Vossische Zeitung, Jews were to be excluded from tennis "but individual clubs could retain members belonging in old established families."
Nevertheless the cautious American Olympic Association was not to be stampeded into adopting the A. A. U.'s "boycott" plan. Against fiery old "Gus" Kirby stood equally fiery Brigadier-General Charles H. Sherrill, American member of the International Olympic Committee and onetime Ambassador to Turkey. Barked General Sherrill: "In its present form [this resolution] is a threat to Germany. I move it be amended so as to be a protest. . . ."
The resolution the A. O. A. finally adopted "expressed hope" that restrictions on Jewish athletes would be lifted before the time for preparing for the 1936 games so that U. S. teams "can and will be certified for competition under the Olympic standard."
The question was first formulated in the annual convention of the Amateur Athletic Union at Pittsburgh, immediately preceding the Olympic meeting. There bald, white-fringed Gustavus Town Kirby took the floor. He recalled the meeting of the International Olympic Committee last June at Vienna, where German delegates promised not to exclude Jews from their teams. Since then, said Mr. Kirby, Jews had not only been barred from teams but by various Nazi rules had even been prevented from training. He offered a resolution calling upon the American Olympic Association to refuse to send a U. S. team to Berlin "unless the [German attitude] is so changed in fact as well as in theory as to both permit and encourage German athletes of Jewish faith or heritage to train, prepare for and participate in the Olympic Games of 1936." The resolution was loudly adopted. On to Washington marched the A. A. U.'s delegates.
Meanwhile the German Olympic Committee retorted that its Vienna pledge would be strictly observed, denied that any discrimination against Jewish athletes was contemplated. But the American Olympic Association had ample evidence of discrimination, not by Government decree but by Nazi-dominated athletic organizations. Boxing clubs banned Jews altogether. In hockey, Jews were removed from the first three teams. According to the Ullstein Vossische Zeitung, Jews were to be excluded from tennis "but individual clubs could retain members belonging in old established families."
Nevertheless the cautious American Olympic Association was not to be stampeded into adopting the A. A. U.'s "boycott" plan. Against fiery old "Gus" Kirby stood equally fiery Brigadier-General Charles H. Sherrill, American member of the International Olympic Committee and onetime Ambassador to Turkey. Barked General Sherrill: "In its present form [this resolution] is a threat to Germany. I move it be amended so as to be a protest. . . ."
The resolution the A. O. A. finally adopted "expressed hope" that restrictions on Jewish athletes would be lifted before the time for preparing for the 1936 games so that U. S. teams "can and will be certified for competition under the Olympic standard."
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