When the 1936 Olympics in Berlin began, a record 110,000
people entered the stadium to see the opening ceremonies. The large record-shattering
crowd probably shocked athletes, spectators, and businessmen alike. Nazism was
everywhere, from postcards to stamps to blimps. The masses revered Hitler and
gave him a 110,000 strong salute when lighting the torch. Take for example the the following image, the German track runner on his way to light the Olympic flame is surrounded by Nazi flags and banners.
No doubt the hammer and sickle infiltrated the propaganda of the 1980 games. Lenin’s face became commonplace to be seen around the Olympic grounds, in posters, stamps, and even in a massive demonstration during the Soviet routine in the closing part of the games. However, other parts of Russian culture and well wishes were on display as well. The opening and closing ceremonies usually features a cultural demonstration featuring dances, cultural heritages and traditions, and classical or typical uniforms and dress patterns of each respective culture. The Soviet ceremony was no different. Mixed in with their socialist propaganda were bears, greetings and salutations, and an overall grand welcoming into the games. Somehow, a massive teddy bear with flowers and the phrase I wish you success (Zhyelayu Uspekha) seems less intimidating than a massive and reverent salute to Hitler. To be clear, the Soviets did place a great amount of importance on the propaganda factor of the games. It does not however, seem to have had as aggressive of an influence as in the Nazi opening ceremonies. This cannot stand alone as separating the two games, but it does make an interesting starting point.
Sources
http://propagander2.tripod.com/index-16.html
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1268484-the-1936-olympics-a-necessary-reflection-and-the-value-of-a-single-human-being
http://crooksandliars.com/gordonskene/August-3-1980-closing-ceremonies-moscow
http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/07/sport/olympics-2012-moscow-boycott-1980-don-paige/
I just realized from your images that my grandparents were at the 1980 Olympics. Up to last year I had the stuffed bear shown in your photo (with tag) in my home office--I recently passed it back to my mom. I do think the image of Lenin is relevant, and probably helps get into the mindset of the British and Americans.
ReplyDeleteHey Trevor,
ReplyDeleteI'm interested in this comparison. Do you think the different ideologies between Germany 1940s and USSR 1917 on could have anything to do with this? Propaganda obviously played a role in each regime, but for far different purposes. Just thinking!
Great images too!
Do you think this had to do with the fact that the Cold War did not directly involve Russia? For example in the 1936 Olympics Hitler was wanting to place Germany at the top of the world, hence the images of the Hitler salute; whereas, in Russia, it was secrecy winning more countries to Communist ideology. If that makes sense.
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