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The selection of host cities for the 1936 Games

It was at the Barcelona Session in 1931 that Berlin was chosen as host city of the Games. On this occasion, the German National Olympic Committee announced that it was exercising its right to organize the Winter Games, as the rules of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed at that time. It let it be understood that the two neighbouring towns of Garmisch and Partenkirchen would be able to host the Winter Games.

The National Socialists had understood how they could use the Games as propaganda and supported the Organizing Committee every which way possible. The German IOC members thus named Garmisch-Partenkirchen as host of the Games. Having abandoned as unjustified their fears about National Socialist Germany not abiding by Olympic rules as a result of promises made by the Reich government, the IOC once again confirmed Berlin as host city and also gave its agreement over the choice of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

The Introduction of the symbol of fire

First time a symbolic fire was lit during the Olympic Winter Games.

The spectacle at the Closing Ceremony

Fireworks were set off at the closing ceremony.

The Olympic Games did not take place

The 1940 and 1944 Games did not take place because of the Second World War.

New on the programme

Alpine skiing, in a combined format (downhill and slalom) was added to the programme. The Alpine combined also had a women's event.

A demonstration

Eisschiessen (a kind of curling) was a demonstration sport. The military patrol race was a demonstration event for the third time.

(Credit: IOC. Click here for further information.)