1936 Olympic Games

In 1931 the International Olympic Committee awarded the 1936 Olympics to Berlin before Hitler was in power.  The Olympic Games took place in Berlin, Germany, they were also knows as the Nazi Olympics. These games were the first ones televised. In addition basketball, field handball, and canoeing also made their first appearce at the games. The Berlin games was also the first to introduce the torch relay In 1933 a policy was was established in all German athletic organizations “Non-Aryans"—Jewish or part-Jewish and Romani (Gypsy) athletes—were systematically excluded from German sports facilities and associations.”( www.ushmm.org). People tried to boycott the games, but the boycott movement failed. The 1936 games were a turning point since they were in Berlin and Hitler was in power. Hitler used the games as propaganda and promote Third Reich. Hitler also wanted to prove that they were the superior race, but Jessie Owens an African-American sprinter and long jumper proved him wrong. He became a legend because of his achievements in the 1936 Olympics; He won four gold medals and broke five world records.  

http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005680

http://www.olympic.org/berlin-1936-summer-olympics