Olympic Games Decoration
Encyclopedia
The German Olympic Games Decoration (Deutsches Olympiaehrenzeichen) was a civil decoration of Nazi Germany
awarded to administrators of the 1936 Olympics
. The award was not intended for actual participants in the Olympics, but rather in recognition of those who had orchestrated the "behind the scenes" preparations and work for the events.
Several members of the SS, including, Reinhard Heydrich
, Karl Wolff
and Heinrich Himmler
were awarded the Olympic Games decoration for providing security during the event. Hermann Fegelein
was awarded the decoration for overseeing the preparation of the courses and facilities for the equestrian events. The decoration was presented to Leni Riefenstahl
for her work in filming the various sports events. It was also presented, 2nd Class, to Hiroshi Ōshima
, the Japanese Ambassador to Nazi Germany.
The Olympic Games decoration was awarded in three classes:
Of the three classes, the First Class was presented as a neck order
. A total of 767 were presented. The second class was open to persons who played a significant, but lesser role as to the work which went into the presentation of the games. A total of 3,364 were awarded. The Olympic Games Medal (Olympia-Erinnerungsmedaille) was established to recognize service in connection with the preparation work and execution of the game events. The medal was not restricted to German nationals. All classes could be worn miniaturized on a ribbon bar
.
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
awarded to administrators of the 1936 Olympics
1936 Olympics
1936 Olympics may refer to:*The 1936 Winter Olympics, which were held in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany*The 1936 Summer Olympics, which were held in Berlin, Germany...
. The award was not intended for actual participants in the Olympics, but rather in recognition of those who had orchestrated the "behind the scenes" preparations and work for the events.
Several members of the SS, including, Reinhard Heydrich
Reinhard Heydrich
Reinhard Tristan Eugen Heydrich , also known as The Hangman, was a high-ranking German Nazi official.He was SS-Obergruppenführer and General der Polizei, chief of the Reich Main Security Office and Stellvertretender Reichsprotektor of Bohemia and Moravia...
, Karl Wolff
Karl Wolff
Karl Friedrich Otto Wolff was a high-ranking member of the Nazi Schutzstaffel , ultimately holding the rank of SS-Obergruppenführer and General of the Waffen-SS. He became Chief of Personal Staff to the Reichsführer and SS Liaison Officer to Hitler until his replacement in 1943...
and Heinrich Himmler
Heinrich Himmler
Heinrich Luitpold Himmler was Reichsführer of the SS, a military commander, and a leading member of the Nazi Party. As Chief of the German Police and the Minister of the Interior from 1943, Himmler oversaw all internal and external police and security forces, including the Gestapo...
were awarded the Olympic Games decoration for providing security during the event. Hermann Fegelein
Hermann Fegelein
SS-Obergruppenführer Hans Georg Otto Hermann Fegelein was a General of the Waffen-SS in Nazi Germany, a member of Adolf Hitler's entourage, brother-in-law to Eva Braun through his marriage to her sister, Gretl, and husband of the sister-in-law to Adolf Hitler through Hitler's marriage to Eva...
was awarded the decoration for overseeing the preparation of the courses and facilities for the equestrian events. The decoration was presented to Leni Riefenstahl
Leni Riefenstahl
Helene Bertha Amalie "Leni" Riefenstahl was a German film director, actress and dancer widely noted for her aesthetics and innovations as a filmmaker. Her most famous film was Triumph des Willens , a propaganda film made at the 1934 Nuremberg congress of the Nazi Party...
for her work in filming the various sports events. It was also presented, 2nd Class, to Hiroshi Ōshima
Hiroshi Ōshima
Baron was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army, Japanese ambassador to Nazi Germany before and during World War II — and unknowingly a major source of communications intelligence for the Allies. His role was perhaps best summed up by General George C...
, the Japanese Ambassador to Nazi Germany.
The Olympic Games decoration was awarded in three classes:
- Olympic Games Decoration (1st Class)
- Olympic Games Decoration (2nd Class)
- Olympic Games Medal
Of the three classes, the First Class was presented as a neck order
Neck order
A neck order is a type of decoration which is designed to be worn and displayed around a person's neck, rather than hung from the chest as is the standard practice for displaying most decorations....
. A total of 767 were presented. The second class was open to persons who played a significant, but lesser role as to the work which went into the presentation of the games. A total of 3,364 were awarded. The Olympic Games Medal (Olympia-Erinnerungsmedaille) was established to recognize service in connection with the preparation work and execution of the game events. The medal was not restricted to German nationals. All classes could be worn miniaturized on a ribbon bar
Ribbon bar
Ribbon bars are small decorations that are worn by military, police, and fire service personnel or by civilians. Ribbon bars are mainly used when wearing either full decoration, or when wearing medals is considered inappropriate or impractical. Each military force has its own rules on what ribbons...
.