• chiliedogg@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    America became an Olympic powerhouse largely because of its diversity. People of all colors and creeds show up wearing the stars and stripes and bring home medals.

    Even during times of overt racism, diversity was a message we carried to the Olympics.

    When Hitler said it was distasteful to have black people and Jews at the Olympics, the US nearly boycotted the 1936 games. But instead we sent Jesse Owens over to win 4 gold medals.

    Interesting fact: Hitler was asked to treat all winners the same, so after Owens won the 100m Hitler stopped congratulating any winners for the rest of the Games.