A Jewish high-jumper faces discrimination in Nazi Germany, while Avery Brundage grapples with moral dilemmas. The episode examines Olympic participation under Nazi influence, Brundage's alignment with Nazis, and a Jewish female athlete's struggle during the 1936 Olympics. It also touches on identity theft prevention and the challenges faced by marginalized athletes.
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Quick takeaways
Margaret Lambert faced discrimination as a Jewish athlete in Nazi Germany, hindering her Olympic dreams.
Avery Brundage prioritized Olympic values over addressing discrimination, enabling the 1936 Berlin Olympics to proceed.
Deep dives
Margaret Lambert's Early Athletic Success and Discrimination
Margaret Lambert, an Olympic-level athlete, excelled in high jump due to her natural athletic abilities. However, in 1933 as Hitler rose to power, Lambert faced discrimination for being Jewish, being expelled from her sports club and denied opportunities to compete.
Avery Brundage's Olympic Interest and Compromises
Avery Brundage, prioritizing Olympic values, aimed to become an Olympic official. His interactions with the Nazis in Germany, especially at the Kaiserhof Hotel, showcased his willingness to overlook discrimination and anti-Semitic practices to ensure the 1936 Berlin Olympics proceeded.
Nazi Influence on Sports and Olympic Participation
Under Nazi rule, Jewish athletes faced severe restrictions and discrimination, hindering their ability to train and compete. The Nazis manipulated Olympic trials, like with athlete Gretel Bergmann, using propaganda to obscure their inhumane treatment of Jewish individuals.
Avery Brundage's Role in U.S. Olympic Committee Decision
Despite mounting pressure to boycott the 1936 Berlin Olympics due to Nazi atrocities and discrimination, Avery Brundage, influenced by Nazi assurances and his own biases, advocated for U.S. participation, ultimately allowing the Games to proceed amid global controversy and ethical debates.
A German Jewish high-jumper is determined to get her shot at Olympic greatness. And an idealist faces an existential choice. In the fifth episode of Hilter’s Olympics, Avery Brundage faces the reality for Jewish athletes in Nazi Germany and makes a critical decision.