Abstract
Background: This paper looks at the history of physical education and sport in the German Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). Objective: The aim of this article is to show the contribution of the YMCA to the formation of modern sports and the Olympic movement in Germany. Methods: Standard historical methods are used therein. Everything is written in chronological order. Results: The first local German YMCA was established in 1883. It gradually began to assume responsibility for much of the physical education sphere in Germany, although sport had clearly not yet become a prominent part of German physical education. That did not change until the 1920's, when the German YMCA teamed up with other Protestant groups to form the Reichsverband der Evangelischen Jungmannerbunde Deutschlands (the German Reich Association of Protestant Young Men). Physical education and sport were organized through its Eichenkreuz division but that was banned in 1934. After being restored in 1947, the Eichenkreuz division again began to shape physical education in Germany, which the YMCA still does today. Conclusions: The article shows that even though the YMCA in Germany did not have an influence on formation of sports and the Olympic movement comparable to the one in the neighboring Czechoslovakia and Poland, it undoubtedly became known for German inhabitants in this field. That means it should not be omitted from the history of physical education and sport in Germany.
Highlights
Modern sport started to be formed at the turn of the 18th and the 19th century
International sport unions and the modern Olympic movement started to develop at the turn of the 19th and the 20th century
Responsibility for physical education and sport was entrusted to its Eichenkreuz division, which, as time went on, began to put a greater emphasis on sport
Summary
Modern sport started to be formed at the turn of the 18th and the 19th century. Before that games and the entertainment (the predecessor of sport) were refused by radical Protestants as something inappropriate that diverts people from their duties and proper life. International sport unions and the modern Olympic movement started to develop at the turn of the 19th and the 20th century From this time the interest in sport grew even among Protestants. Conclusions: The article shows that even though the YMCA in Germany did not have an influence on formation of sports and the Olympic movement comparable to the one in the neighboring Czechoslovakia and Poland, it undoubtedly became known for German inhabitants in this field.
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