How Did Hitler React to Jesse Owens' Wins?
Amir Walter
2025-05-20 01:55:55
Count answers: 8
The games were supposed to be the moment for German competitors to shine, not a non-Aryan American. Adolf Hitler, who was in attendance, was reportedly so enraged that he stood up and left the stadium.
But it wasn't only the medalists who were invited to meet him. Because the final event, the high jump, was running long, and the German team had already lost, Hitler left the stadium before it ended. His departure had nothing to do with Jesse Owens, who was not even participating in the event.
On the first day of the games, in the spirit of the Olympics, the president of the International Olympic Committee proposed that Hitler either shake hands with every single winner, or none at all. Hitler chose the latter. That is why Owens, who went on to win the 100 meter dash the following day, was not congratulated by Hitler, nor was any other athlete.
Adrain West
2025-05-15 18:18:59
Count answers: 4
He got out of the way and walked off. Some people booed. The Nazis were certainly horrified that an African-American had humiliated them on their own patch. Minister of propaganda Joseph Goebbels wrote in his diary: White humanity should be ashamed of itself.
Lonny Lind
2025-05-11 06:32:13
Count answers: 4
Adolf Hitler initially refused to shake hands with Jesse Owens, a slight that would create one of the most significant moments in Olympic history. Long even embraced Owens in the sandpit after the latter secured the gold medal with a world record jump – a move that angered high-ranking members of the Nazi Party. Owens’ success was a huge blow to the ideology of the Nazi Party.
Theodora Davis
2025-04-27 06:47:40
Count answers: 7
Hitler had congratulated German athletes on the first day of the 1936 Olympics, only to be informed by IOC officials that he should congratulate all athletes or none, in order to show neutrality as the presiding head of state. Hitler opted to congratulate no-one, and was not even in the stadium when Jesse Owens was securing his medals.
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