Olympics 2 Flashcards
Describe the 1936 Olympic Games
Berlin 1936 Olympic Games was used as propaganda for nazi ideology. 25 TVs set up in greater Berlin, allowing locals to watch for free. Hung Nazi banners everywhere for exposure.
Blatant racism and antisemitism characterised games
Jesse Owens won 4 gold medals (disproving hitlers theories of Aryan race) but Hitler refused to give them.
Describe the 1968 Olympics Mexico
Mexico City has 2300m altitude. Lead to world records in men’s races that were 400m or shorter.
Black Power salute by John Carlos and Tommie Smith.
Smith and Carlos part of Olympic project for human rights which reflected black pride.
Raised black gloved fists to represent solidarity and support for black people.
Describe the 1972 Olympics Munich
First return of Olympics to German city since 1936.
8 members of Black September entered Olympic village and took 11 Israeli athletes hostage and demanded Palestinian prisoner release in Israel. German forces attempted rescue
All hostages and 5 terrorists died. Games went ahead.
Describe the 1970 Olympics Moscow
Us led boycott reduced number of participating nations to 80 to protest against 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, extending Cold War.
Margaret Thatcher boycotted Olympics
Jimmy Carter stated Us would boycott if troops didn’t withdraw from Afghanistan
Describe 1984 Olympics Los Angeles
Games produced profit of 223million. LA only city which bid to host.
Revenge boycott lead by Soviet Union (14 nations refused) believed to be ‘tit for tat’ response for USA boycotting 1970 Olympics.
Soviet Union blamed commercialisation of games and lack of security
Soviet Union accused US of using games for political purposes.
