Importance of Sport for the Nazis
Sport played a crucial role for the National Socialists, although they referred to it as physical education. The primary goal was to promote health and performance for a productive economy and ultimately be fit for war. The individual sport took a backseat in favor of the collective, the masses, and the so-called national body, to which every German should contribute as an individual in the best possible way. True to the Nazi ideology, it was always about strength and power.
The Role of Physical Education
Adolf Hitler emphasized the importance of physical education, saying, "The weak must be knocked away." He wanted a violent, loyal, fearless, and cruel youth, trained in all physical exercises. These physical exercises were mandatory in many Nazi organizations, such as the German Young People, the Hitler Youth, the League of German Girls, and Strength Through Joy. Young people were also encouraged to join sports clubs.
Physical Movement in the Hitler Youth
In the Hitler Youth, physical movement was used to teach boys how to be soldiers and exhibit military behavior, filtering out young people who could later be considered for leadership positions in the armed forces. The Nazis criticized international competitive sports, especially in the early days of the Weimar Republic, rejecting the Olympic movement’s ideals of international understanding.
The 1936 Olympic Games
Despite their initial opposition to the Olympic movement, the Nazis organized the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. The International Olympic Committee had awarded the games to Berlin in 1931, during the Weimar Republic era. However, the Nazis saw an opportunity to present themselves to the world as a peace-loving, open, and young state. They wanted to demonstrate their organizational strengths and sporting success, making a significant turnaround in their stance on the Olympic movement.
Sports Promoted by the Nazis
Boxing was a sport that the Nazis emphasized, making it mandatory for older boys in school sports. Team sports like football and handball existed, but the idea of fighting and competition was always emphasized. The Nazis focused on strength, discipline, and collective effort, rather than individual achievement.
Physical Movement for Women and Girls
The sporting activities for women were heavily influenced by the Nazi ideology, which limited women’s roles to mothers and housewives. Women were expected to train their bodies, improve their health and fitness, and strengthen their discipline. The League of German Girls offered physical exercises to train girls physically, ideologically, and prepare them for their future roles in society.
Jewish Participation in Sports
Shortly after the Nazis came to power, a law was passed that excluded Jews from public service, including sports clubs. The "Aryan paragraph" was gradually expanded to exclude Jews from professional and social life, including sports. However, the Nazi leadership initially did not consistently enforce this law, particularly in the lead-up to the 1936 Olympic Games, to avoid negative headlines and potential boycotts. Many sports clubs and associations, however, excluded Jewish members, and the situation for Jews in Germany deteriorated after the 1936 Olympic Games.
