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The HItler-Jesse Owens Snub Myth

Submitted by Guest on Sat, 04/16/2016 - 11:21

YouTube introduction: One of many common myths invented and re-cycled by cretinous self-hating journalists is that at the 'Nazi Olympics', the German leader snubbed Jesse Owens by refusing to shake his hand. The reality is far different.

Hitler on the first day of the Berlin Olympics did indeed shake the hands of several successful competitors from Germany and Finland. It was a mistake made in good faith. That evening the German Chancellor received a message from Count Baillet-Latour, President of the International Olympic Committee. It was respectfully pointed out to the German Leader that as protocol required he was merely a guest of honour at the Games, he should congratulate all - or none, in public at least.

On the first day of the Olympics, just before Cornelius Johnson, an African American althlete who won the first gold medal for the U.S. that day, was to receive his award, Hitler left the stadium early. (The Nazis later claimed it was a previously scheduled departure.) Prior to his departure, Hitler had received a number of winners, but Olympic officials informed the German leader that in the future he must receive all of the winners or none at all. After the first day, he opted to acknowledge none. Jesse Owens had his victories on the second day, when Hitler was no longer in attendance. Would Hitler have snubbed Owens if he had been in the stadium on day two? Perhaps. But since he wasn't there, he didn't.

Ironically, the real snub of Owens came from his own president. Even after ticker-tape parades for Owens in New York City and Cleveland, President Franklin D. Roosevelt never publicly acknowledged Owens' achievements (gold in the 100 meter, 200 meter, 400 meter relay, and long jump). Owens was never invited to the White House and never even received a letter of congratulations from the president. Almost two decades passed before another American president, Dwight D. Eisenhower, honored Owens by naming him "Ambassador of Sports" — in 1955.

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