Hitler's Olympics: Jewish runners 'betrayed' by U.S. Athletics

By James Masters, CNN

Updated 0915 GMT (1715 HKT) July 31, 2015

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Nancy Glickman lights the flame at the European Maccabi Games in Berlin. She is the youngest daughter of Marty Glickman, one of two Jewish-American athletes denied the chance to run at the 1936 Olympics in the German capital, along with Sam Stoller.

Photos: U.S. runners 'betrayed' at Hitler's Olympics

Eternal flame – Nancy Glickman lights the flame at the European Maccabi Games in Berlin. She is the youngest daughter of Marty Glickman, one of two Jewish-American athletes denied the chance to run at the 1936 Olympics in the German capital, along with Sam Stoller.

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The European Maccabi Games are being held in Berlin for the first time. It marks 60 years since the end of the Holocaust and is the biggest Jewish event held in Germany since the end of World War Two. It has attracted 2,300 athletes from 36 different countries.

Photos: U.S. runners 'betrayed' at Hitler's Olympics

Back to Berlin – The European Maccabi Games are being held in Berlin for the first time. It marks 60 years since the end of the Holocaust and is the biggest Jewish event held in Germany since the end of World War Two. It has attracted 2,300 athletes from 36 different countries.

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The opening ceremony was held at the "Waldbühne" in Berlin -- a venue regularly used by the Nazis to host events. The traditional parade and concert opened the Games, which run until August 5.

Photos: U.S. runners 'betrayed' at Hitler's Olympics

Welcome party – The opening ceremony was held at the "Waldbühne" in Berlin -- a venue regularly used by the Nazis to host events. The traditional parade and concert opened the Games, which run until August 5.

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A man wears a Kippa at the "Maifeld" -- a place used by Nazis for mass rallies, near Berlin's Olympic Stadium -- during a Memorial ceremony for the victims of the Holocaust. Six million Jews were murdered by the Nazi regime and its collaborators.

Photos: U.S. runners 'betrayed' at Hitler's Olympics

Remembering the past – A man wears a Kippa at the "Maifeld" -- a place used by Nazis for mass rallies, near Berlin's Olympic Stadium -- during a Memorial ceremony for the victims of the Holocaust. Six million Jews were murdered by the Nazi regime and its collaborators.

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The Olympics took place in Berlin at a time when Adolf Hitler's Nazi party was cementing its control of Germany. By the time the Games took place in 1936, Hitler had already established a number of anti-Semitic laws which placed restrictions on Germany's Jews.

Photos: U.S. runners 'betrayed' at Hitler's Olympics

The 'Hitler Games' – The Olympics took place in Berlin at a time when Adolf Hitler's Nazi party was cementing its control of Germany. By the time the Games took place in 1936, Hitler had already established a number of anti-Semitic laws which placed restrictions on Germany's Jews.

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Jesse Owens was the star of the Berlin Games, winning four gold medals and shattering a number of world records. The American won the 100-yard and 200-yard dash as well as the long-jump. He also ran in the 4x100-yard relay despite protesting after two of his Jewish teammates were left out.

Photos: U.S. runners 'betrayed' at Hitler's Olympics

Olympic icon – Jesse Owens was the star of the Berlin Games, winning four gold medals and shattering a number of world records. The American won the 100-yard and 200-yard dash as well as the long-jump. He also ran in the 4x100-yard relay despite protesting after two of his Jewish teammates were left out.

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