THE 1936 Berlin Olympics was the last before the second World War, when Adolf Hitler, the Nazi dictator of Germany, with no interests in sports or holding the Games which was awarded to Germany in 1931, was at the helm of affairs.

However, his propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels believing that the Games would promote their Nazi ideals succeeded to convince the dictator, who was against blacks and Jews’ participation.

Actually, Hitler believed in the supremacy of the Aryan race owing to which great efforts were required to get his permission for other races to participate which was eventually given when the participating nations threatened to boycott the Games. He allowed only one German women of Jewish background —Helene Mayer — to be in his national team as a token inclusion.

The attitude prompted many nations including Spain and Russia to boycott the Games.

Being a fascist, Hitler believed in German and white supremacy and his fury over the black Americans, winning field events was unbelievable. On the first day of the Games Hitler just left the stadium before an American black athlete Cornelius Johnson won gold, though previously he had received a number of winners.

Hitler’s anger grew even more when Jesse Owens, a black, won 100m and 200m setting the world record and then won the long jump and 400m relay striking four golds for the US.

Hitler unhappy over black men’s impressive performance snubbed Owens as well and when he was told about it by his advisers he decided not to greet any athlete during the Games.

However, Germany won most medals in the Berlin Games, which was televised for the first time and into which basketball and handball was also inducted, with the US securing second position on the medals table.

When I was on the European tour in the late 1960s, I made it sure that I see Berlin and its Olympic stadium. The city was a fascinating one, giving a more vibrant look than when I first visited.

I visited the Olympic Stadium and walked to the spot where Hitler stood watching the parade and showing his indifference when the blacks won medals, thinking had the Austrian-born Hitler was allowed to have his own ways the Berlin Olympic would have never become a reality.

Also, the most surprising fact is that the great Jesse Owens was snubbed by the former American president Franklin D.

Roosevelt who never acknowledged Owen’s achievements.

However, after two decades another American president Dwight D. Eisenhower honoured Owens, naming him ‘Ambassador of Sports’ in 1955.

Times have changed and race, religion et cetera have no importance, no matter where the Games are held.