The 1936 Summer Olympics presented Nazi Germany with an opportunity to reshape its global image. As international attention turned toward Berlin, the regime temporarily softened visible signs of antisemitism—removing discriminatory signage and staging an atmosphere of order and hospitality for visiting audiences.

Behind this carefully constructed image, however, exclusion persisted. Jewish athletes were sidelined, restricted, or removed from competition, even as the Games promoted a vision of unity and fairness to the world. This collection highlights the tension between spectacle and reality, showing how discrimination could be concealed, managed, and strategically revealed in service of propaganda.

Stay tuned for additions to this collection!