Olympic Games Flashcards
Berlin 1936
Hitler used the olympics to push propaganda about himself and his third reich ideology. Also promoted Aryan race as superior race. Poster boy Lutz Lang was relied upon by Hitler to win to support his ideology. Jesse Owens won 4 gold models and this annoyed Hitler
Mexico City 1968
Black Athletes protested the civil rights violations in the USA. Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised a black power salute on the podium after coming 1st and 3rd in 200M. Criticised for undermining ideals of Olympic Games by making a political statement. Wore black socks to symbolise poverty.
Munich 1972
Day before games commenced, 11 Israeli hostages taken - 2 killed. Hostages used as leverage in an attempt to free 234 Palestinians held in Isreal. IOC decided to continue with games, only postponing spending ceremony by a day.
Moscow 1980
Moscow was in Soviet Union. Just B4 games, USSR invaded Afghanistan. Jimmy Carter(US President) suggested a boycott if USSR didnt withdraw. 65 countries Boycotted. Led to creation of Liberty Bell Classic - event for non-attendees to compete in.
Los Angeles 1984
Olympics were in financial difficulty (all olmypics before were not commercialised so ended in debt). IOC reluctantly accepted commercialisation. 12 weeks before, Soviet Union announced boycott along with 14 other Eastern Bloc Countries. Eastern Bloc arranged ‘Friendship Games’
