Some Notes on the Preparations for the Olympic Games of 1936 and 1940: An Unknown Chapter in German–Finnish Cooperation

Abstract

Recent publications frequently generalise that the Olympic Games of 1936 had been reinterpreted and misused by the National Socialist Regime, which had been establishing a governmental system in Germany since 1933.2 Arguably, the National Socialist Regime made use of the Olympic Games to represent itself as peaceable and liberal-minded. However, an undifferentiated blanket judgement like this cannot stand up to closer examination. The Olympic Games themselves were important to many people and at the centre of many activities. This centrality should be highlighted by using the example of German–Finnish Olympic activities, which had already begun during the preparations for the Olympic Games of 1936 and continued during the preparations for the Olympic Games of 1940 in Helsinki, the capital of Finland. This chapter in German–Finnish relations has not been paid particular attention yet.