Under the shadow of the swastika, Jesse Owens, grandson of an American slave, exposed Adolf Hitler's deluded views of Ayran supremacy with gold medals in the 100, 200, long jump and 4x100 metres relay.
Several by now familar features of the Games originated in Berlin. For the first time a torch relay was staged, starting at Olympia, and the competitions were shown on television on large screens throughout the city.
The large German team prepared with professional thoroughness for competitions which the Nazis viewed as part of the greater ideological battlefield.
At a Games permeated by politics, Korean Kee-Chung Sohn won the marathon. As his country was occupied by Japan, he was obliged to run for the oppressors under the name of Kitei Son.
Thirteen-year-old American Majorie Gestring won the springboard diving gold, making her the youngest female champion to date.