Revisionist History

Hitler’s Olympics, Part 2: Pangloss, Polonius, Prufrock

25 snips
Jul 4, 2024
Ben Nadav Haffrey, a key collaborator with Malcolm Gladwell on the series about the 1936 Olympics, brings sharp insights into the moral quandaries of that era. They dive into the complex legacy of Charles Hitchcock Sherrill, exploring his influence and the societal dynamics at play. The discussion also unfolds the clash between Olympic ideals and the exclusionary policies of Nazi Germany, scrutinizing the multifaceted moral dilemmas faced by American diplomats regarding Jewish athletes. Haffrey's commentary unveils the Olympics as a potent propaganda tool under Hitler's regime.
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ANECDOTE

The Cherry Bowl Incident

  • Charles Sherrill lunched with President Hoover, who ate all the cherries meant for both of them.
  • Sherrill later cleverly used this to secure an ambassadorship to Turkey.
INSIGHT

The Crouching Start

  • Sherrill was a sportsman, claiming to invent the crouching start in sprinting.
  • He frequently recounted this story, much like an uncle boasting about a Little League home run.
ANECDOTE

Meeting with Roosevelt

  • Sherrill waited to meet President Roosevelt after Booker T. Washington.
  • Roosevelt then excitedly discussed the crouching start's origins with Sherrill.
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