The 1936 Berlin Olympics saw record national participation and Germany's dominant medal haul under Nazi oversight, drawing international controversy.
Key Facts
- Total athletes
- 3,963
- Participating NOCs
- 49
- Total events
- 129 in 19 sports
- Germany total medals
- 101 (38 gold)
- Youngest Olympic champion
- Marjorie Gestring, age 13
- Dates
- 1 August – 16 August 1936
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Berlin was originally awarded the 1916 Summer Olympics, which were cancelled due to World War I. The city was later selected to host the 1936 Games, but Germany's Nazi regime prompted calls for boycotts from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, and the Netherlands, though most ultimately did not withdraw.
The Games of the XI Olympiad took place in Berlin from 1 to 16 August 1936, with 3,963 athletes from 49 NOCs competing across 129 events in 19 sports—the highest national participation in Olympic history to that point. Germany led all nations with 101 medals, including 38 gold.
Germany's record medal haul was later surpassed by East Germany in subsequent Games. Korean athlete Sohn Kee-chung, forced to compete under the Japanese flag as Kitei Son, won the marathon and became the first Korean Olympic gold medalist. Marjorie Gestring became the youngest Olympic champion ever, and the Games remained politically significant as a backdrop to rising fascism in Europe.
Result
at Berlin, Germany