DeepSummary
The episode discusses Avery Brundage, an influential figure in the Olympic Committee, and his role in enabling the 1936 Berlin Olympics hosted by Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler. Despite being aware of Nazi oppression and discrimination against Jewish athletes, Brundage prioritized his personal ambition to become the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over boycotting the Games.
Brundage visited Germany before the Olympics and was easily convinced by the Nazis' false assurances that Jewish athletes would be allowed to participate. He then actively campaigned against the boycott movement in the United States, dismissing concerns over Nazi antisemitism as exaggerated complaints from Jews. Brundage's actions helped provide legitimacy to the Nazi regime on the global stage.
The episode also touches on the experiences of Jewish athletes like Gretel Bergmann, who was denied the opportunity to compete despite qualifying, and the disturbing attitudes of other Olympic officials like Henri de Baillet-Latour, who harbored antipathy towards Jews while claiming to uphold Olympic ideals.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Avery Brundage, motivated by personal ambition and antisemitic beliefs, played a pivotal role in enabling the 1936 Berlin Olympics hosted by Nazi Germany.
- Despite clear evidence of persecution, Brundage actively campaigned against boycotting the Games and dismissed concerns over the treatment of Jewish athletes.
- Brundage was easily swayed by Nazi propaganda and false assurances, prioritizing his own career goals over confronting the regime's oppressive policies.
- Other Olympic officials, such as Henri de Baillet-Latour, shared antisemitic views and disregarded the valid concerns of Jewish athletes facing discrimination.
- The episode sheds light on the disturbing complicity of influential figures in legitimizing the Nazi regime through the Berlin Olympics.
- Jewish athletes like Gretel Bergmann faced direct consequences of the Olympic Committee's inaction, being denied opportunities despite their qualifications.
- The episode highlights the tension between the ideals of the Olympic movement and the reality of prioritizing political and personal interests over human rights.
- Brundage's actions demonstrate how individual ambition and prejudice can enable grave injustices when left unchecked.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Ballet Latour urges Brundage to find a way to apply pressure to the Germans while also acknowledging that the Jews, quote, shout before there is reason to do so.“ by Robert Evans
- “We looked up at the box where he was flanked by Goering and Goebbels and Hess and Himmler and all the rest of the nazi hierarchy, and you could hear the comment run through our crowd as we were walking in, hey, he looks like Charlie Chaplin.“ by Marty Glickman
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Episode Information
Behind the Bastards
Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts
6/27/24
Robert and Matt discuss how Avery Brundage and the Olympic Committee killed the attempt at an Olympics boycott and handed Hitler a major win.
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