Olympic Store Sells Out Controversial T-Shirt Featuring 1936 Hitler Games
The Olympic official online store has recently sold out of a T-shirt from its Olympic Heritage Collection. This item features artwork from the controversial 1936 Berlin Games, which were exploited by Adolf Hitler and the Nazis to propagate their antisemitic ideology. The sale of this T-shirt has drawn significant backlash, prompting numerous politicians in Germany and various Jewish organizations to call for its removal from the market.
Controversy Surrounding the 1936 Berlin Games T-Shirt
Critics argue that selling this T-shirt is inappropriate. The 1936 Olympics are notorious for serving as a platform for political propaganda. This issue is further aggravated by the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) recent refusal to allow skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych to compete while paying tribute to Ukrainian athletes who lost their lives in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
The Olympic Heritage Collection aims to celebrate 130 years of Olympic art and design. Priced at €39 (approximately $47), the T-shirt showcases the official poster of the 1936 Berlin Games. Designed by artist Franz Wurbel, the shirt includes the Olympic rings and the iconic Brandenburg Gate, alongside a muscular male figure adorned with a laurel wreath.
Official Response from the IOC
When asked about the T-shirt’s status, an IOC spokesperson confirmed that it sold out, rather than being withdrawn from sale. They acknowledged the historical implications of the 1936 Berlin Games, stating, “While we recognize the Nazi propaganda associated with these Games, we must also remember that they featured 4,483 athletes from 49 nations competing in 149 events.”
The spokesperson noted the achievement of notable athletes like American sprinter Jesse Owens at these Games. They emphasized that the Olympic Museum in Lausanne provides further context regarding the historical significance of the 1936 Olympic Games.
Legacy of the 1936 Olympics
Despite Owens’ historic four gold medals being a highlight of the 1936 Games, the event’s lasting legacy serves as a cautionary tale. It illustrates the dangers of allowing dictatorial regimes to exploit global sporting events to promote divisive and hateful ideologies, such as the Nazi vision of Aryan racial superiority.
- T-Shirt Price: €39 ($47)
- Design Origin: Created by Franz Wurbel
- Athlete Participation: 4,483 athletes from 49 countries
- Events Featured: 149 medal events
