When Nazi Germany hosted the Summer Olympics

Eighty years ago, Adolf Hitler welcomed the world to see the "New Germany"

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The Olympic torch arrives at the start of the summer Olympics in Berlin, 1936.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The Olympic torch is carried into the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremonies of the XI Olympic Games in Berlin on Aug. 1, 1936.
(Image credit: (Getty Images)In 1931, the International Olympic Committee made a gesture of inclusion to Germany, which had been isolated since the end of World War I, by awarding Berlin the 1936 Summer Gam)

Berlin's Olympic Stadium.
(Image credit: (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)By 1936, the dark rumblings of Hitler's tyranny had grown thunderous, as headlines revealed an increasingly militarized and segregated Germany. Jews were being sh)

Banners of the 49 nations participating in the Games fly in one of the main squares in Berlin.
(Image credit: (AP Photo))

A crowded street in Berlin as the Games get underway.
(Image credit: (Getty Images)For two weeks in August, Berlin was flooded with athletes and tourists from all over the world. More countries participated in the Berlin Games than in any other Olympics up to)

The British team marches toward the Olympic Stadium during opening ceremonies.
(Image credit: (AP Photo))

Jesse Owens (far right) competes in one of his track and field events. Much to Hitler's dismay, the 1936 Olympics were Owens' Games — he won four gold medals, and in the space of 45 minutes, broke five world records and tied a sixth. O
(Image credit: (Central Press/Getty Images))

Medal winners in the women's 100-meter dash. German bronze-medal winner Kathe Krauss gives the Nazi salute in front. American Helen Stephens (center) won the gold.
(Image credit: (AP Photo))

A diving competition.
(Image credit: (Allsport Hulton/Archive/Getty Images))

Members of the U.S. rowing team, wearing Native American headdresses, watch their fellow athletes compete. The U.S. rowing team, from the University of Washington, were considered underdogs, but ended up beating out Germany and Italy t
(Image credit: (Hulton Archive/Getty Images))

Adolf Hitler and Dr. Theodor Lewald, president of the German Olympic committee, applaud from the stands on Aug. 14, 1936.
(Image credit: (AP Photo))

Jesse Owens hits the ground and sets a new world broad jump record.
(Image credit: (AP Photo))

One of the heats for the men's 100-meter freestyle on Aug. 8, 1936.
(Image credit: (AP Photo))

The German crowd gives the Nazi salute after the men's 1,500-meter final.
(Image credit: (Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images))

Lauren Hansen
Lauren Hansen

Lauren Hansen produces The Week’s podcasts and videos and edits the photo blog, Captured. She also manages the production of the magazine's iPad app. A graduate of Kenyon College and Northwestern University, she previously worked at the BBC and Frontline. She knows a thing or two about pretty pictures and cute puppies, both of which she tweets about @mylaurenhansen.