Often called “The Nazi Olympics” had their opening ceremonies 75 years ago today.  The most told story about these games was how Jesse Owens victories mocked the Nazis and their idea of racial superiority.  A little told story is of US culpability and enabling of the Nazis growing antisemitism.  The US 4 by 100 relay team included two Jewish Americans.  At the last moment they were removed from the team to keep the Nazis from having to recognize Jews on the victory pedestal.  You can read the entire story here at the Holocaust Memorial Museum site.

I heard the story on NPR this morning.  This is the germane quote: “Worse, near the end of the track competition, two Jewish-American sprinters, Marty Glickman and Sam Stoller, were kept out of the relay finals by our own team’s decision, so that our anti-Semitic hosts would not be upset.”